Cinnamon Catlin-legutko Death, Obituary – Cinnamon Catlin-legutko of Springfield, Illinois State Museum DirectorShe has served on the boards of the American Alliance of Museums, the Smithsonian Affiliates Advisory Council, the Maine Humanities Council, and the American Association for State and Local History. Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko has worked in museums for almost twenty years, and she firmly believes in the institutions’ capacity to affect social change, motivate movements, and question established authority. Since she has been a museum director since 2001, she is frequently asked to comment on museum issues and is a regular speaker at national museum conferences.
She was one of the driving factors behind the decolonization program at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, and she collaborated with the Wabanaki communities in the state to create policies and protocols to promote understanding and mutual respect. As a result of these efforts, the Abbe is widely regarded as an exemplary model and reference in the world of museums for decolonizing museum practice. Cinnamon started working as the new director of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield in September 2019.
The unimaginable has become reality. After a year of quietly and heroically fighting two types of cancer, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko has passed away. Her soul mate and spouse, Larry Legutko, has been by her side every step of the way. Our admiration and gratitude to him stem from the fact that she finally found true love and was able to have a rock-solid foundation in the form of his undying affection and attentiveness. Larry’s encouragement and affection played a significant role in her development. The first impression you had of Cinnamon would stick with you forever. She possessed formidable intelligence and wit, and she could easily hold her own in any social situation.
She waited for him to come home to her before deciding that she, too, should return there. Her legacy lives on in the things she has accomplished and in the countless people whose lives she has touched. Larry has asked that no flowers be sent at this time, but rather for the celebrations of his life to be held later this year. We’re working with her field to create a fund in her honor. Before making any donations, please wait for the memorial fund to be set up.