Linda Jordan Memorial Ride-Stride-Glide

Linda was born in Erith in Kent on March 6th 1951, a second daughter to Roy and Hester Pitts and a sister for Susan.

When she was four, the family moved to Perranporth in Cornwall when her father took up a position in the Engineers Department of Cornwall County Council.

Living on the coast, Linda spent many happy days on the beach. After attending the local primary school she moved to the Grammar School in Truro.  An enthusiastic sportswoman, Linda represented the county at athletics, helping to set a new county record in the relay. She was an accomplished hockey player and many opponents can attest to her determination in the tackle. In her final year, Linda was appointed Head Prefect. It was at school and with her mother that Linda developed her skill as a seamstress and her love of arts and crafts.

After school Linda trained as an Infant Teacher at Hereford College of Education, making many lifelong friends. Her first teaching post was in a small two teacher school in Wiltshire and she moved into a flat in Oare.

Neil and Linda met in October 1973. They always said that theirs was an arranged marriage. They were introduced by Neil’s mother and quickly became inseparable.  Neil and Linda were married by Neil’s uncle in Truro Cathedral in April 1975.

They moved to Clevedon where Linda had obtained a post in East Clevedon C of E School. Whilst in Clevedon, Neil and Linda set up an Oxfam group, starting her lifelong commitment to charitable work.   In 1978 they moved to Didcot when Neil took up a job with Debenhams.

Richard arrived in 1979 and Stuart was born in 1982. Linda devoted herself to bringing up the children and supporting Neil in his career.  The family later moved to Long Wittenham where once again Linda took an active role in the church and community and made many friends.

In 1988 the family moved to Wantage. Richard and Stuart attended Wantage C of E and then King Alfred’s and Linda always took a keen interest in all of their activities and achievements. She was very active in joining organisations such as the 1st King Alfred’s Scouts, King Alfred’s School Association, the NSPCC where she became the County Treasurer, Letcombe Handbell Group, Wantage Choral Society and Letcombe Regis Church. She also returned to teaching in schools in Wantage, Grove and Didcot and was involved in teaching adult numeracy and literacy.

Linda was a great organiser. Many will remember her famous lists. In all of her activities, she was happy to remain in the background in a supporting role despite being asked on many occasions to take on more prominent positions. Once she had taken on a role she would always see it through.  If Linda organised an event it tended to run like clockwork.  Everyone knew what to do and she was always meticulous in ensuring that detailed accounts were produced and thank you letters sent. These were always hand-written notes in her distinctive italic script.

Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. After an operation she remained free of the disease until November 2004 when she was admitted to the Churchill Hospital with secondary cancer. Neil took early retirement in December 2004. In December 2006 it became apparent that the disease had spread and Neil continued to devote himself to caring for her. She very stoically and bravely bore the radiation and chemotherapy treatments despite suffering badly from the side effects.

Linda was devoted to and loved by all of her family. One of her greatest delights were organising family gatherings and seeing the progress of her sons, nephews and their children. She was always meticulous in remembering everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries, and she enjoyed the planning and the celebrations.

Few who knew Linda will forget her laughter and her ready smile, which always lit up the room. She took a genuine interest in everyone and always put other people before herself. Above all, Linda will be remembered for her warm and welcoming nature and her kindness and thoughtfulness to everyone whose life she touched.