I can’t be positive, but this seems close...
Fly Away, By Lynn Austin
His final flight. Her final chance. Will faith see them through?
Summary: Adventure. Success. A loving wife. Former World War II pilot Mike
Dolan was living his dreams. But he’s rudely awakened when his wife dies and
he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Surprisingly, Mike finds solace in
the company of Wilhemina Brewster, another lonely soul who tries to lead
this dying man to faith. 256 pages, softcover from Beacon Hill.
thank you, I’m thinking this could be it, although my friend says the pilot’s name may have been John, but her memory is a bit fuzzy :)