Obituary
Linda Susan Ley
1955 – 2022
Surrounded by family and love, Linda peacefully passed from this life and onto the next, due to cancer. Her journey on this earth ended February 4th, at Hospice Huronia – Tomkins house in Penetanguishene, Ontario. Linda is forever loved by many, including her daughters Nicole Sparks, (Doug) and Amy Ley, (Dave Robinson).
Linda was born on February 8th in Toronto to proud parents, Lloyd and Dorothy Adams (Sheppard), both from Newfoundland, (predeceased). Raised in Ajax and later Pickering, she had happy memories of childhood friends and family gatherings. Her parents worked hard to make sure she had everything they never had growing up. It is here that she met the Ley family and her future husband, David, who will always hold her memory in a special place in his heart.
Linda and David raised their young family in Janetville and Oshawa. Her charisma attracted many friends and neighbours, leading to lively card games, loud music, and always, lots of laughter. She often spoke of the fun times she had playing baseball with the local ladies slow pitch team. Her daughters are forever grateful for letting them roam the neighborhood to experience an old fashioned childhood, where curfews were determined when the street lights came on, (or when she yelled out the front door). They were free to hurl themselves down the toboggan hill in winter, or chase the dicky dee for an ice cream treat in summer. She always committed to her kids activities by cheering them on in dance class or piano recitals and even volunteering to be a leader in Brownies and Girl Guides. She was the family hairdresser, cake decorator, cookie baker and a skilled seamstress, creating many Halloween costumes and, much to her children’s chagrin, matching dresses. She loved a good game of Euchre, Cribbage, or Trivial Pursuit, as well as the occasional rum and coke!
Moving north began a new chapter in her life, when the family cottage on Nine Mile Lake became home. Lake life had its challenges yet she always found ways to overcome. Working first for the Town of Gravenhurst, and then the Gravenhurst Opera House, she was always professional and dedicated to her job. When Linda wasn’t working, or being the teen chauffeur for her daughters, she spent time tending her beautiful flower gardens, and painting ceramics, and juggling any obstacle to balance the family life.
As life often does, Linda’s story took a change of direction not long after her daughters moved out into the world. Her story led her to a life in Bond Head, working for the Municipality of York, in Records Management. Next, she lived in Barrie, where she started a business in reflexology and peered into the world of healing and spirituality. Linda found immense joy in her humanitarian trips with FOTO Canada (Friends of the Orphans) where she visited NPH Orphanages in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Bolivia providing reflexology services to the volunteers and caregivers. She fell in love with the people, their culture and the surrounding landscapes. Her family is very proud of her accomplishments and generosity.
The last chapter of Linda’s story brought her to the towns of Midland, Coldwater, Orillia and Penetanguishene where she touched many lives and found good people who offered her support and friendship. Her humanitarian work continued, volunteering at Midland’s Out Of The Cold Shelter and more recently as a sponsor for a boys baseball team in Nicaragua. Although confronted with mental illness over the last decade, her gentle soul and passionate spirit always returned.
Nicole, Amy, Doug and Dave would like to send our immense gratitude to Tammy, Debbie, Karen, Cathy, Joanne, Dr. Cameron and all the staff and volunteers at Hospice Huronia – Tomkins House. The compassion and warmth provided was an absolute gift to our family. We will never forget our special walk of honour, helping to send her soul into the spirit world, rocking out to Meatloaf – Bat out of Hell! Truly special people, Thank you!
We also want to thank the exceptional people at Waypoint, CMHA and all their subsidiary programs. The true compassion of individuals like Dr. Mishra and Tanya, will never be forgotten. And Linda’s real life angels, always helping her in any way possible, by being supportive, caring friends and going above and beyond any call of duty. Anything from coffee meets to concert outings, daily walks and even pedicures with the guys. Don and Conner, no words can express our infinite gratitude.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to an organization near and dear to Linda’s heart.
FOTO Canada (Friends of the Orphans Canada)
NPH (Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos “Our Little Brother and Sisters”)
OSPCA (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association)
Donations may be made through the Mundell Funeral Home, Orillia.
MISS YOU ALREADY MOM
To send flowers to Linda’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Linda Susan Adams Ley February 8 1955 February 4 2022 (age 66)..
Death notice for the town of: Orillia, Province: Ontario