In Memory: Margot Tishman Linton, Age 92

Margot Tishman Linton of Rye, NY died May 27, 2022 at the age of 92. Margot was born in New York City on May 3, 1930 to Rebecca (“Rita” Valentine) Tishman and Norman Tishman, who became chairman of Tishman Realty and Construction, founded by Margot’s grandfather, Julius Tishman, in 1898. Margot grew up in New York City and graduated from Smith College in 1952.

Margot moved to Rye, NY in 1962, where she raised her four children. In 1990, she returned to Manhattan. Margot lived her final years back in Rye at The Osborn. Margot was a world-traveler, who supported the social business needs of her husband of 63 years, Robert Linton, as he advanced his career as an investment banker. She enjoyed tennis well into her 80s and skied with her family from homes in Killington, VT and Santa Fe, NM.

In 1972, Margot founded The Friends of the Neuberger Museum in Purchase, NY and subsequently became the first president of the museum’s board. For more than 25 years, Margot devoted time, energy, imagination and financial support to the American Federation of Arts (AFA), the leader in traveling art exhibitions internationally. In 1976, she joined the staff of the AFA, where she served as Director of Membership for 10 years, In 1986, she was elected to the board of trustees, and in 1993 became a vice-president. Margot’s combined love of art and travel had a lasting influence on the AFA membership program. She founded the AFA’s travel program which offered exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to museums, private collections, and artist studios in the US and abroad.

In recognition of Margot’s longstanding commitment to the AFA, in 2003, she was presented with the first-ever Elihu Root Distinguished Service Award, named for the founder of the AFA to recognize those who have demonstrated a devotion to the AFA’s mission to bring great works of art to an extended audience and to strengthen the ability of museums to enrich the public’s experience and understanding of the visual arts. The AFA’s final tribute was naming Margot an honorary trustee upon her retirement.

Margot was a board member of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, a trustee of the College of Santa Fe, and a member of the National Committee of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. She was also on the Visiting Committee and a Board Member of the Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, MA, her alma mater.

Margot is survived by her sister, Valerie T. Diker (Charles) of New York, NY; sons, Thomas N. Linton, of Santa Fe, NM; and Jeffrey R. Linton (Judith) of Rye, NY; and a daughter, Elizabeth M. Linton of Berkshire, England; five grandchildren and two great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert E. Linton, her daughter Roberta L. Bennett, and her brother, Peter V. Tishman. Funeral Services will be held at Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave, Rye, NY 10580, Wednesday, June 1st at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Osborn Foundation, Rye, NY, or The Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral Service
10:30 am
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester
2125 Westchester Avenue
Rye, New York, United States