A beautiful soul now shining down from above, Linda Kay Vansandt, 63, unexpectedly yet peacefully passed away at home in Kirkland on Sunday October 31st 2021. Exceptional in character, humility and compassion, Linda’s was a remarkable person who lived to the fullest, each day brightening the lives of all who knew her. As we now cherish her memory, the everlasting impact she left will forever remain.

Linda was born September 21st, 1959 in Columbia, MO to Earl Max and Jean Kay Vansandt (née. McFarland). The new family remained there until Max graduated medical school. The following years had the family shuffle through Texas and California as Max completed his medical residency, and also brought with it her siblings, brother Gregory and youngest Lori. Ready to set down roots, the family finally moved to Medina. Linda’s childhood was filled with love and laughter, as she enjoyed with her friends and family pickleball, road trips, camping treks and gaining a fondness towards the many family pets, especially her horse “Spunky”, who brought her boundless joy. As with everyone else in the family, she became an avid skier. Upon graduating Bellevue H.S. in 1977, her affinity for animals saw her beginning to pursue a career in veterinarian sciences, and she worked for a veterinarian hospital in Bellevue.

Linda’s life was profoundly changed when she became paralyzed from the waist down following an accident from a medical procedure. Her life was instantly and forever changed, yet Linda’s tenacity and perseverance prevailed as she forged ahead for a purposeful and meaningful life. After moving to Hawaii for solace and to gain some understanding of her new reality, Linda moved back to WA and graduated U.W. in 1986 with a degree in communications. She then worked as director of human resources for Marsh and McLennan in Seattle until 2000, when she moved to Arizona and thereafter worked as a consultant for the company. She retired early to focus on family and health.

In 1988, Linda married Michael Henning. Friends since high school, they began their relationship upon Linda’s return from Hawaii. From then on, Michael became in integral part of Linda’s wellbeing, ensuring she was cared for given her unique situation. The two were a wonderful complement who shared everyday with devout love. In 1989 Linda gave birth to their one son, Devon Henning.

A doctor’s recommendation for more sunshine and flat, open space for exercise and Michael’s construction career moved the family to Scottsdale in 2001. Linda enjoyed living in Arizona and the accommodating and accessible wheelchair terrain, warmer winters and swimming under the sun, regular visits to the cinema with her father Max, loving her pets and proudly adopting them from local pounds, and foremost being a mother and involving herself with school. Linda even earned a real-estate license just for kicks. Her unique medical situation maintained she regularly saw her doctors, and in 2009 a routine visit revealed breast cancer. After several months of exhausting radiation therapy, she beat the cancer and recognized the value of an early diagnosis, thereafter encouraging other woman to check often.

Eventually returning to Kirkland in 2014, Linda’s medical conditions sometimes tried to hamper her. However her positivity and individuality shined through, causing anybody she encountered, even briefly, to become happier. She was still able to enjoy her favorite things like vacations to Hawaii, Leavenworth and a 2018 party in Bend, OR for her mothers 80th, having her grandson Christopher visit from Arizona whom she loved so dearly, spoil the many pets she had, and finally earn some joy in cooking.

Doctors believed Linda’s time on earth would be greatly reduced following her accident so many years ago, however she defied those odds as she did with many other doubts and lived a beautiful life that we are all so proud of.

Linda is survived by her husband Michael and son Devon Henning, Mother Jean, father in law Chuck Crickmore, brother Gregory and sister Lori Vansandt-White, father in law Jim, mother in law Claire, grandson Christopher Winsick (12), niece Remy White (12), in-laws Catherine, Jay, Mathew, Chris and their children. She was preceded in death by her father, Earl Max (2016).

Linda was in avid animal lover, and if anyone wishes to donate, she would be thrilled with anything to American Humane, whom she was a member.

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