Obituary of Linda Ann Oikle

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our mother, Linda, of Hantsport, at the age of 73, on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor. Born in Montreal, Quebec on November 14, 1949, she was the second of three children born to the late George Cowe and Hazel Mary (Kilcup) Findlay.

Linda married the late Richard Oikle in 1969 and they settled into their home on Avon Street, in Hantsport raising two daughters and firmly becoming a solid part of the community. She worked for a time at CKF INC. and after the girls were old enough, returned to work at various retail stores, such as Stedman’s in Windsor, Wades in Hantsport, Lynn’s Jewellery & Gifts and Pharmasave in New Minas, finally retiring from Save Easy in Hantsport. However, she continued to work part time as the custodian at the Hantsport Baptist Church. Linda was a long-time member of the Hantsport Baptist Church and held positions as a Trustee and Deacon. She volunteered with the Hantsport Food Bank, the Hantsport Baptist Church Revival Shop and the Kings’ Daughters. She was an avid crafter, over the years taking classes in ceramics, oil painting, tole painting and most recently started going to Windsor Makers Studio, learning wool hooking and re-learning to knit. Many friends and family have received gifts crafted by Rick and Linda over the years.

She is survived by daughters, Tracy (Allen) MacMillan, Fort St. John, BC; Laura Oikle, Hantsport; grandchild, Leanne MacMillan; brothers-in-law, Loyd (Jennifer) Oikle and Bill Blenkinsop; sisters-in-law, Beth (Curt) Caldwell, Janice (Donnie) Riley, Sharon Hill, Jocelyn Wills and Kathy McInnes; uncle-in-law, James “Jim” Robertson; cousin, Debby Stevenson; many other cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and chosen family, The Doreys. 

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Richard “Rick” (2012); sister, Heather Blenkinsop; brother, Edward Findlay; nephew, Craig Blenkinsop; great-niece, Shae Lynne Blenkinsop.

Special thanks to the staff of Unit 200 at Hants Community Hospital and Auntie Beth for her time and dedication, providing support in our place when needed.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, March 29 (masks encouraged). A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 30 in Hantsport Baptist Church, Hantsport, Rev. Jennifer Riley officiating (masks encouraged). A private family interment will immediately follow in Riverbank Cemetery. A reception will be held in the church’s Wellwood Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Linda may be sent to The Hantsport and Area Community Food Bank, PO Box 728, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0; Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St., Halifax, NS B3H 1S6 or the Hantsport Baptist Church, PO Box 152, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca