Lynda Hathaway, a beloved skating coach from Portland, Maine, passed away on April 20 at 81.
She was well known for her decades of dedication to the skating community at Troubh Ice Arena, where she began coaching in 1984 when the rink was still called the Portland Ice Arena.
Alongside her friend Ann Hanson, Hathaway helped shape the lives of young skaters for over 30 years.
Throughout her life, Hathaway taught and mentored hundreds, possibly thousands, of kids, including figure skaters and hockey players.
She especially supported those who needed financial help or had disabilities, always making them feel welcome on the ice.
Family And Friends Mourn The Loss Of Lynda Hathaway
Her daughters, Lisa and Kristen Hathaway, remember her as a caring mother and grandmother who gave her all to her students.
Despite wearing figure skates, lipstick, and mascara, Hathaway earned the respect of even the most confident hockey players with her skill and passion.
She mixed figure skating techniques into her lessons, helping athletes develop a unique edge in their style and performance.
Former students shared how she improved their skating and inspired them to love the sport.
Some of the best lessons I ever learned came inside the walls of the Portland Ice Arena and leaving there was not an easy choice as the people were what made it so special. Lynda Lou was at the top of that list….a tireless advocate for the sport of skating and anyone who expressed even an inkling of interest in participating. Her creativity and passion was constantly on display and her affection for those around her was contagious. She made it difficult to just “show up” to work without being passionate about it. I learned a lot watching Lynda and the way she navigated the politics and business side of the sport(s) of figure skating and hockey which often can have its challenges. The world lost a good woman on Sunday and with all due respect to those involved now, the sheet of ice at what is now the Troubh Arena will never be graced by another person packaged quite like Lynda. Thanks for sharing your passion and LOVE Lynda – we will miss you like crazy!!
David Whitten Jr
Her efforts went beyond coaching: she designed costumes, built props, prepared music, and brought creative vision to ice shows.
Lynda’s journey as a coach began in 1975 at North Yarmouth Academy and eventually led to a full-time role in Portland during the late 1990s.
Oh Lynda Hathaway how I will you miss you. You hired me on the spot some 20 plus years ago and the rest is history. So many wonderful memories and stories I will tell the rest of my days. I loved our complex conversations about life and death, our side trips to greenhouses at skating comps, your passion for the Victorian Skate Show and oh how the skaters loved your stories during lessons. I will miss you everyday. Let’s all continue to find Joy anywhere we can. Peace
Maryann J Carroll
She never stopped teaching and always made time for every skater, no matter their level or age.
She enjoyed peaceful spots outside the rink like Popham Beach and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.
Her family and the skating community meant everything to her. Her legacy continues through memories and the lives of those she taught and inspired.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Folks remembered that Hathaway always had a small camera with her and loved taking pictures of skaters while they were doing jumps, tricks, or performing on the ice.
- She studied at the University of New Hampshire.
- Val Smith and her daughter Rose spent many years skating under Hathaway’s guidance while Rose was growing up. Today, Rose coaches a hockey team in British Columbia, Canada.
