Linda Sue Pendergast was one of four children born to Reverend and Mrs. Boyce Van Osdel in San Bernardino, California. She moved to the Bay Area at the beginning of high school and was in the first graduating class at Skyline High School in Oakland, preceding Tom Hanks by a few years. Other than one year in Colorado, it’s been “C” (California) to shining “C” (Connecticut) for Linda who resides in Avon.
Linda graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology, giving her the credentials to become a Probation Officer for the County of San Bernardino, a job she held for six years. After moving to Connecticut she had several short-lived jobs before venturing into retail. Together with partner Kaye Foland, “Lettres - Stationery of Distinction” was conceived and born in the late 1980’s. Linda sold the business in late 2001, giving her more time to devote to her growing family. Linda has two daughters - Laurie and Shannon. Her husband Paul has three sons - Sean, Kevin and Ryan. Together they are grandparents to twelve grandchildren, ranging in age from two to twenty-two. They also have one great grandchild, age three.
Linda was the fourth woman invited to join Rotary of Avon-Canton. She says “I’ve never been a club officer, but since its inception, I’ve participated in some fashion on the Golf Tournament Committee. I was also a member of the Rotary Youth Exchange Committee for many years.” In addition to Rotary, Linda is a member of P.E.O. International, the Monday Reading Club, the Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary Board and Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Linda is most proud of the many mission trips she has taken over the years to help those in need - rehabbing and building homes ravaged by natural disasters. She is headed to Puerto Rico this month for one such Mission.
“I’m at my best when I’m: with my family, at the beach, giving when and where it’s needed and enjoying music - singing, dancing or listening!”