Linda Hofstedt (later Wills) : Passenger Services / Cabin Crew
Sadly we learn that Linda, passed away on Sunday 21 September 2025. My sincere condolences go out to her family, friends and former colleagues.
Linda was a hostess and worked in the Traffic Department too. In 1976 she entered Miss Gatwick and came 2nd.
To the right a photo of Norwegian born Linda in 1976 after her Miss Gatwick competition
Linda was a hostess and worked in the Traffic Department too. In 1976 she entered Miss Gatwick and came 2nd.
To the right a photo of Norwegian born Linda in 1976 after her Miss Gatwick competition
Linda Remembered
A letter from Linda's children, Richard and Jade
It’s with a heavy heart that we must begin this letter to you by saying our mother, Linda Wills, passed away on Sunday the 21st of September 2025.
Writing your mother’s remembrance is not one of the many things you think about when contemplating their death, but it is something we have had to ponder during these past weeks as the cancer she had fought hard for six long years seemed to be taking its final toll.
You think of all sorts of things, how much you’ll miss them, what do I do when they go? Who will I gossip to for hours on the phone? I hope there isn’t a cliff hanger on Emmerdale or the Archers at the time!
Linda was always one to celebrate life rather than wallow in the dismay of a passing. Over our childhood she regaled us with stories of our father’s adventures during his upbringing in Malaysia and then life with her in the Maldive islands. Of course, there were times we were sad to be without a father; however, a majority was spent in fond memory. So, this letter is one of celebration for the fantastically exceptional person Linda Wills was.
She never saw herself living on a remote island off the Malaysian peninsular, being born in Norway on the 28th of February 1954 and then swiftly moving to suburban London. Her upbringing was a city life and at the age of 18 she worked Front of House of a ski resort in Austria. Always aspiring to be the height of elegance, it became a dream of hers to work as Air Crew, which she did with British Caledonian. She would tell us stories of a job that took her all over the world and on many adventures and when titles like “deep in Timbuktu” popped up in a movie she would pass it off with a - “Oh I’ve been there”.
A series of events eventually led Mum to a life running the Swiss Flying Dr service on Male, the capital island of the Maldives, this is where she met the love of her life, our Father, Daniel Wills. Daniel was a British colonial brought up in the Jungles of Malaysia, he always yearned to “return home” and so after a time spent on the Indian ocean and a last-minute marriage in Columbo, Sri Lanka, Daniel and a very pregnant Linda landed in the mangroves of Sibu Island in 1992.
Although wrenched with grief for the loss of dad in the September of 1994 and strained under the weight of single-handedly running a company while bringing up two babies, she still managed to give us the most wonderful childhood.
She raised us with freedom, laughter, love, books, tales of the world, she filled our rooms with art and stories and things to create, she let us explore anywhere and everywhere, we were free to be curious and ask questions, as many as we liked. When we went to school, she always supported every decision we made academically and creatively. When we were teenagers, she made herself a safe place to come and say anything we wanted, she taught us to communicate, to be true to one’s self, be dutiful and love one another completely and unconditionally. As adults she continued an undying support of her children, she sent us on adventures around the world so we could make our own stories, she let us take on whatever education we saw fit.
Linda impacted every person she met in one way or another, she gathered people under her umbrella and once you were there, you had the comfort of knowing this exceptionally generous, honest and forthright person was on your side. She made community where ever she went, communities that thrived under her unwavering care.
I am quite certain it is a cliché for a child to say “it was a privilege” when their parent passes, but we have never written truer words than when we say it was an absolute honour and privilege to be the son and daughter of Linda Wills. You will be sorely missed and remembered forever.
Richard and Jade.
From Thelma & Walter Riggans
Linda started in the 1970s as a Passenger Services Agent at LGW with BCAL and later as Cabin Crew. As such she worked with both Thelma and I. We caught up with her again when we were based in Singapore in the early 1990s when she was running Sea Gypsy Resort in Malaysia. We spent many happy visits to the resort when Jade and Richard were toddlers and also met up with them in Singapore when they attended the Annual Stage Club Pantomime.
When we were in Dubai (2004/2018) Jade moved there as a Professional Photographer and of course Linda asked us to look out for her which we were delighted to do. Linda also visited and we were all able to catch up again. We saw Jade last year when we visited Dubai and had Dinner together. She brought us up to date on her mothers cancer treatments. So when Jade called Thelma the other day, we knew what she was going to say. Linda was a lovely person, a great mother and a wonderful friend.
From Lyndsay Cochrane - Heartfelt Condolences to Richard & Jade, Family & Friends ~ What a wonderful Eulogy ~ RIP Linda
From Sally Simmonds - So very sorry for the loss of your dear mum, Jade and Richard. BCal was lucky to have her. RIP, Linda.
From Jim Will - RIP Linda
From Ray Davies - R I P
From Tony Roberts
I remember Linda, a lovely young lady! I used to roster her in flights and may have flown with her on at least one flight! RIP dear Linda, fly high with the angels
From Karen Strawson - Fly free xx
From Diane Playford
I remember Linda from our Ground Staff days. Always looked immaculate and was ready to help us “newbies”. So sorry to hear such sad news.
From Graham Waters - R.I.P.
From Trevor Fisher - RIP Linda
From Hilary Dawson
I'm so sorry to hear of Linda's passing, my condolences to family. Linda and I did a 4 day publicity stay together in 1976. It was long hours and tiring but we had a good time thanks to her sense of fun and personality. R.I.P. Linda.
From Pauline Bowell
I remember you so well Linda. Such a lovely lady inside and out. So very sorry to read how you’ve suffered but now out of pain and at peace.
From Jacqui Huxford - RIP
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences were extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Jim Will, Maureen Copeland, Denise Stevens, Rosemary Schuh, Lyndsay Cochrane, Roger Moore, Alan Reeves, Mel Sanders, Julie Hourigan, David T Eschbaecher, Lindsay Smith, Tony Creasey, Kathleen Chappell, Christine Jegu, Dorothy Flower, Jenny Holland, Pauline Bowell, Laurie Evans, Janet Willis, Maureen Booth, Janice Belshaw, Pam Whitehouse, Hilary Dawson, Joy Inch, Alan Saunders, Ray Davies, Victor Attwood, Jo Hewitt, Tony Roberts, Karen Strawson, Julie Day, Freddie Gorman, Carolyn Poppeliers, Diane Playford, Valerie Edwards, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Peter Beck, Jean Bagnell, Helena Burgoyne, Seona Craig, Graham Waters, Gillian Goodchild-Dyer, Adrian Schilke, Rani Kler, Walter Riggans, Doug Ledingham, Paul Marshall, Jade Wills,
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A letter from Linda's children, Richard and Jade
It’s with a heavy heart that we must begin this letter to you by saying our mother, Linda Wills, passed away on Sunday the 21st of September 2025.
Writing your mother’s remembrance is not one of the many things you think about when contemplating their death, but it is something we have had to ponder during these past weeks as the cancer she had fought hard for six long years seemed to be taking its final toll.
You think of all sorts of things, how much you’ll miss them, what do I do when they go? Who will I gossip to for hours on the phone? I hope there isn’t a cliff hanger on Emmerdale or the Archers at the time!
Linda was always one to celebrate life rather than wallow in the dismay of a passing. Over our childhood she regaled us with stories of our father’s adventures during his upbringing in Malaysia and then life with her in the Maldive islands. Of course, there were times we were sad to be without a father; however, a majority was spent in fond memory. So, this letter is one of celebration for the fantastically exceptional person Linda Wills was.
She never saw herself living on a remote island off the Malaysian peninsular, being born in Norway on the 28th of February 1954 and then swiftly moving to suburban London. Her upbringing was a city life and at the age of 18 she worked Front of House of a ski resort in Austria. Always aspiring to be the height of elegance, it became a dream of hers to work as Air Crew, which she did with British Caledonian. She would tell us stories of a job that took her all over the world and on many adventures and when titles like “deep in Timbuktu” popped up in a movie she would pass it off with a - “Oh I’ve been there”.
A series of events eventually led Mum to a life running the Swiss Flying Dr service on Male, the capital island of the Maldives, this is where she met the love of her life, our Father, Daniel Wills. Daniel was a British colonial brought up in the Jungles of Malaysia, he always yearned to “return home” and so after a time spent on the Indian ocean and a last-minute marriage in Columbo, Sri Lanka, Daniel and a very pregnant Linda landed in the mangroves of Sibu Island in 1992.
Although wrenched with grief for the loss of dad in the September of 1994 and strained under the weight of single-handedly running a company while bringing up two babies, she still managed to give us the most wonderful childhood.
She raised us with freedom, laughter, love, books, tales of the world, she filled our rooms with art and stories and things to create, she let us explore anywhere and everywhere, we were free to be curious and ask questions, as many as we liked. When we went to school, she always supported every decision we made academically and creatively. When we were teenagers, she made herself a safe place to come and say anything we wanted, she taught us to communicate, to be true to one’s self, be dutiful and love one another completely and unconditionally. As adults she continued an undying support of her children, she sent us on adventures around the world so we could make our own stories, she let us take on whatever education we saw fit.
Linda impacted every person she met in one way or another, she gathered people under her umbrella and once you were there, you had the comfort of knowing this exceptionally generous, honest and forthright person was on your side. She made community where ever she went, communities that thrived under her unwavering care.
I am quite certain it is a cliché for a child to say “it was a privilege” when their parent passes, but we have never written truer words than when we say it was an absolute honour and privilege to be the son and daughter of Linda Wills. You will be sorely missed and remembered forever.
Richard and Jade.
From Thelma & Walter Riggans
Linda started in the 1970s as a Passenger Services Agent at LGW with BCAL and later as Cabin Crew. As such she worked with both Thelma and I. We caught up with her again when we were based in Singapore in the early 1990s when she was running Sea Gypsy Resort in Malaysia. We spent many happy visits to the resort when Jade and Richard were toddlers and also met up with them in Singapore when they attended the Annual Stage Club Pantomime.
When we were in Dubai (2004/2018) Jade moved there as a Professional Photographer and of course Linda asked us to look out for her which we were delighted to do. Linda also visited and we were all able to catch up again. We saw Jade last year when we visited Dubai and had Dinner together. She brought us up to date on her mothers cancer treatments. So when Jade called Thelma the other day, we knew what she was going to say. Linda was a lovely person, a great mother and a wonderful friend.
From Lyndsay Cochrane - Heartfelt Condolences to Richard & Jade, Family & Friends ~ What a wonderful Eulogy ~ RIP Linda
From Sally Simmonds - So very sorry for the loss of your dear mum, Jade and Richard. BCal was lucky to have her. RIP, Linda.
From Jim Will - RIP Linda
From Ray Davies - R I P
From Tony Roberts
I remember Linda, a lovely young lady! I used to roster her in flights and may have flown with her on at least one flight! RIP dear Linda, fly high with the angels
From Karen Strawson - Fly free xx
From Diane Playford
I remember Linda from our Ground Staff days. Always looked immaculate and was ready to help us “newbies”. So sorry to hear such sad news.
From Graham Waters - R.I.P.
From Trevor Fisher - RIP Linda
From Hilary Dawson
I'm so sorry to hear of Linda's passing, my condolences to family. Linda and I did a 4 day publicity stay together in 1976. It was long hours and tiring but we had a good time thanks to her sense of fun and personality. R.I.P. Linda.
From Pauline Bowell
I remember you so well Linda. Such a lovely lady inside and out. So very sorry to read how you’ve suffered but now out of pain and at peace.
From Jacqui Huxford - RIP
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences were extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Jim Will, Maureen Copeland, Denise Stevens, Rosemary Schuh, Lyndsay Cochrane, Roger Moore, Alan Reeves, Mel Sanders, Julie Hourigan, David T Eschbaecher, Lindsay Smith, Tony Creasey, Kathleen Chappell, Christine Jegu, Dorothy Flower, Jenny Holland, Pauline Bowell, Laurie Evans, Janet Willis, Maureen Booth, Janice Belshaw, Pam Whitehouse, Hilary Dawson, Joy Inch, Alan Saunders, Ray Davies, Victor Attwood, Jo Hewitt, Tony Roberts, Karen Strawson, Julie Day, Freddie Gorman, Carolyn Poppeliers, Diane Playford, Valerie Edwards, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Peter Beck, Jean Bagnell, Helena Burgoyne, Seona Craig, Graham Waters, Gillian Goodchild-Dyer, Adrian Schilke, Rani Kler, Walter Riggans, Doug Ledingham, Paul Marshall, Jade Wills,
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Service Information
Linda's service info will be added here when known
Linda's service info will be added here when known
