Bean died Saturday. She was 82. Her passing was confirmed Sunday by her assistant and the general manager of her Freeport restaurant, Linda Bean's Maine Kitchen.
"Linda was known for her tremendous work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, as well as her pride and dedication to her home state of Maine and L.L. Bean, the company her grandfather founded," read a written statement on behalf of the L.L. Bean company provided by a close assistant to Bean.She had a significant impact on the Maine lobster industry, owning a lobster business and fishing wharves in several towns.
Bean was active in Maine politics over the years, running for Congress twice, first in 1988 and again in 1992, when she secured the Republican nomination in Maine's First District."I was saddened to learn of the passing of Maine businesswoman and philanthropist Linda Bean. Linda’s career included nearly five decades on the board of the iconic company started by her grandfather, L.L.Bean, and successful ventures and investments in Maine’s lobster, real estate and hospitality industries.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also issued a statement on Bean's passing, noting her commitment to the state. "Linda Bean loved the State of Maine. Its coastal communities, islands, and art, particularly by the Wyeths, had a special place in her heart. Linda also was an astute businesswoman who promoted Maine lobster through her restaurants," Collins said in a news release."Many a time while waiting for my plane in Portland, I had a cup of her famous lobster stew at her airport restaurant.