Tribute

Wendy passed gently at home surrounded by her loving family on May 2, 2019, after a year and a half long battle with cancer.

Wendy was born in Vancouver and raised in Richmond, BC. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1973 and Vancouver Community College in 1976 as an LPN.

In 1976 Wendy married Don, her high school sweetheart. They were together for 48 years. Together they moved to Vanderhoof, BC in 1978 for work and their son Hunter was born there in 1980. The next move was to Kelowna where daughter Caitlyn was born in 1985. Finally, in 1991 they moved to Cranbrook, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Wendy nursed in Vancouver, Vanderhoof, Kelowna and Cranbrook. After raising her family, she worked for the Aqu’mnik of the Ktunaxa First Nation as their first Community Health Nurse. Following her diagnosis in 1994 of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, she went on to work in Office Administration for Napa, Kimberley and Cranbrook Health Unit. Her career of choice, however, was her beloved children and her five precious granddaughters who have filled the last 8 years of her life with much joy!

Wendy loved living in the mountains and never stopped being in awe of their beauty. She spent her time in the mountains skiing, camping, hiking, kayaking, cycling and horseback riding. Wendy enjoyed meeting people, working with the public, and serving others. Her faith was a key part of her life and she kept herself involved in her church, especially in children’s ministries. She was also a faithful volunteer with Friendship Club for nearly 15 years, working with special needs people. Wendy also loved to read and cherished her friends from Book club. And those close to Wendy knew her love for her dogs, horses, and cats; especially her Siamese cats, of which there were many over a span of 45 years.

Wendy will be deeply missed by her beloved family: Husband Don; Her pride and joy: Hunter (daughters Josie and Nicole), and Caitlyn with son-in-law Brandon Flint (daughters Caylee, Madison, and Brianne); Her brothers: John (Suzanne) Coates and family in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Dave (Shelley) Coates and family in Delta; Her brothers and sisters-in-laws Stuart and Cherie Corrigal and family in Richmond, and Liz and Larry Walsh and family in Cloverdale; Her closest friends, her dear family of choice; and her little companion, Poppy.

A celebration of Wendy’s life will be held at Cranbrook First Baptist Church  on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 2 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to BC Cancer or His Hope Uganda in her memory