With great sadness we announce the death of Linda Poulin (nee Lye) on Saturday, October 24th, 2025, peacefully at Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry, surrounded by her family, at the age of 84. Linda died after a brave and lengthy fight with cancer.
Linda was a devoted wife to Jean-Luc Poulin (deceased July 2007) and loving mother of Jean-Louis (Aida) and Danielle (Randy). Grandmother to Christian (Stephanie) and Matthew Tennant and Nicolas and Sebastien Poulin, and great grandmother to Sophie Tennant. Predeceased by her father Raymond Jerome Lye and Mary Margaret Pickering. Older sister of John (Kathryn), Rick (deceased 2022), Eric, Michael (Andrea) and JoAnne Lye. Aunt of (at last count) 52 nieces and nephews.
Linda grew up in the Toronto area, including Toronto Island, which had a lifelong impact. She was the first girl accepted into the Junior Sailing Club and she was also the first female Junior Club instructor in the Toronto area. She went on to buy her own boat, which she raced quite successfully.
Linda began teaching in Toronto at nineteen years of age, landing in a grade one class with 44 students. Soon after, she entered University of Toronto, where she met her husband Jean-Luc, whom she wed in 1963. The following year she moved to Oshawa with Jean-Luc, electing to stay home to raise her family. Within a few years, the family moved to CFB Lahr in Germany when Jean-Luc taught French at Lahr Senior School. This provided a wonderful opportunity to travel all around Europe, where they made many lifelong friends.
On return to Canada, Linda taught with the Durham District School Board until her retirement in 1997. She was a member and supporter of the University Women’s Club, played social and duplicate bridge, and has been a member of a bridge foursome since 1976. She’ll be remembered as a voracious reader, keen bridge player, and supporter of local and national charities.
We wish to express our deepest thanks to Dr. Woods, Dr. Al-Naimi, to the wonderful nurses in Zone 3 of Lakeridge Health Oshawa ER, and to the wonderful staff of Oak Ridges Hospice.
Family and friends will be invited to a celebration of life in the near future, on the return of her grandchildren from destinations abroad. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations to Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry.