Obituary of Lindsey Fleece Henderson

Lindsey Fleece Henderson, who had a smile that lit up a room, a laugh that warmed the heart, and a spirit that made friends instantly died after suffering a heart attack on November 20, 2022.

Lindsey packed a lot of life into 63 years; her fun-loving infectious spirit left its imprint on everyone she met, and made her an ideal teacher, educator, and guidance counselor.

Born in St. Petersburg, Lindsey was an avid equestrian during her youth; she attended Centre College in Kentucky – where she was a proud member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority -- and later got her master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida. It was in education and working with people where Lindsey shined professionally, not just in her career helping students as a guidance counselor, 16th St. Middle School, St. Petersburg, Buholtz High School, Gainesville, FL, but sweating through eight-hour days in the Costa Rica heat to teach young mothers – mostly Nicaraguan emigrants with no extended family in the country – how to care for infants, or in guiding tours for Joy Ride Sailing, the charter business she ran in Costa Rica with her husband Glenn. Upon returning to the U.S., Lindsey enjoyed teaching English remotely to students in China.

Lindsey met Glenn at a party in 1993, and they married in 1997, sailing away on their life together, literally. They moved to Costa Rica in 2008 and stayed until 2019, when they returned to the Suncoast.

Lindsey adored children, but particularly her son Jake Walters, who predeceased her in 2020. She is survived by Glenn, as well as her sister Mary Jane Cartier and husband Jack, brother Jay Fleece and his wife Cynthia, and sister-in-law Connie Henderson Lindsay and her husband David. Her parents, Joanne and Joseph Fleece, died in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Dec. 17 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Island Blvd in St. Petersburg. Interment will be at the church, next to Jake and her parents.

Lindsey loved flowers, but people were her hobby and she loved a good time, so raise a glass to her the next time you’re doing something a little mischievous, or share a memory of her when looking at a beautiful sunset. If you prefer something more tangible, please donate in her memory to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Foundation, 501 6th Ave. S, St Petersburg, FL 33701; online at give.hopkinsallchildrens.org/give/272851/#!/donation/checkout