Linda Rose (Woollard) Hendry

HENDRY, Linda Rose (nee Woollard)

On July 1st in her 83rd year, Linda Rose Hendry passed away peacefully at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg with family by her side. Linda always wanted to turn her life story into a book. Her family was grateful to find her draft notes to provide this opportunity for everyone to know her a little bit better. Linda was a sentimental, resilient, ‘spicy’, woman with an infectious smile and a sense of adventure. She drove a Harley in her late teens, was a ‘powder-puff’ stock car racer in Brighton in her 30’s, went hot air ballooning/flew a friend’s airplane/drove a tractor trailer in her 40’s, piloted a 38-foot fishing charter boat in her 50’s, went hand gliding in Tennessee at age 67, and drove her highly decorated RCAF Snowbirds-themed car in the Highway to Heroes procession from Trenton to Port Hope in her 82nd year.

Her dream job as a pilot fueled her 50-year passion for the talent and service of the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds…attending air shows whenever possible and customizing both her apartment and vehicles to highlight her commitment and love for the team. While she became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion later in life, her affiliation for ‘supporting our troops’ across North America was long-term and steadfast. Linda’s life encompasses many highlights including her 25-year career driving a school bus, working as a snow plough operator, graduating from Toronto School of Business, successfully completing 43 years of sobriety, and having supper with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds. She had the honor of having the Snowbirds dedicate their ‘heart in the sky’ to their longtime fan Linda Rose at the Brampton Air show in her late 70’s. Linda loved airplanes, boats, race cars, cats, and squirrels. Linda, always prepared to feed her furry friends, befriended many a curious squirrel and drove 14 hours to Tennessee to babysit domestic squirrels for a friend. She loved Elton John, shopping, and purses…so many purses. She was a competitive euchre player and loved playing games with her legion friends. Her love for photography yielded many photos of friends, family, sunrises, sunsets, and of course planes. Linda is predeceased by her ex-husband Allen Strang in 2023 and leaves behind her daughter Jean, spouse Barry, and grandchildren Danielle and Stephen. She was widowed by her second husband Rick Hendry in 2019, leaving behind step-son Jayson, spouse Angela, and step-children Braden and Keira. She will be laid to rest in her hometown of Bobcaygeon with a private, family graveside service. A public Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Port Hope on Saturday, September 28th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a service at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer Society, the Royal Canadian Legion, or Support Our Troops