Tribute

Sharron Wendy Wenberg, 79, of Mission, passed away on February 24th at Mission Memorial Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.

Wendy is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Keith, survived by her children, Jeff (Michelle&Kate) and Tracey (P.J.),her granddaughter Brooke, and her brother Gary.

Her greatest joys in life were her family, pets (Scrappy, J.J. and, Livvy) and serving her community through volunteer work for the past 40-plus years. Wendy was deeply involved in many clubs and boards of directors, with a focus on senior care and housing in the city of Mission. Wendy spent many years on the boardof directors for the Mission Association of Seniors Housing, advocating for the improvement of senior living in the city. She also took great care in her volunteer work with the Mission Seniors Centre.She always had a passion for senior care, exemplified when she became a caregiver and advocate for her husband during his battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.Together Wendy and her husband, Keith, were instrumental in the erection of the 9/11 monument at the Sumas border. This was a cause close to Keith’s heart as he was a Burnaby firefighter for more than 30 years. Wendy involved herself in the firefighting community, as a source of support and a volunteer. Wendy took pride in her involvement with the Lioness/Lions Club and the Mission Legion. Amassing many awards over the years, such as Lioness and secretary of the year. Wendy made lifelong friends in all the clubs and boards of directors with which she was involved. This comes as no surprise because she made new friends wherever she went. You could always count on her warm boisterous laugh and bright smile to light up any room and welcome anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.

Sharron Wendy Smith was born February 3, 1941 in Vancouver, B.C., to parents Sadie “Peggy” Marguerite Newton and Albert “Bert” Smith. In 3^rd grade she was asked to go by her middle name, Wendy, as there were already many other girls in her class with the name Sharron. At 12 years old Wendy survived a life-threatening case of meningitis. She had a tumultuous childhood, but Wendy found enjoyment in music, she was a wonderful singer and accordion player, which she went on to teach. Growing up with a single mother, Wendy had to leave school in 10^th grade to help contribute to the household. She did later complete her GED when she reached her early 40’s. From dropping out in 10^th grade, Wendy started working at Gault Brothers, where she eventually met her future husband, Keith Wayne Wenberg. They married April 6th, 1963, and welcomed their first child, Steven Jeffrey, in March of 1964. Two years later, they welcomed their daughter, Tracey Lee.

Wendy was always an educator, working as an ESL teacher to Laos and Vietnamese immigrants and as a librarian at the Mission Institution medium security prison and Confederation Park Elementary. Her zest for knowledge extended into her personal life, having a deep love of genealogy. This interest was due to a successful search for a half-sibling she had been aware of on her father’s side. After their initial meeting, Wendy and her half-brother, Gary Dorland, remained close and bonded as family. Family was Wendy’s top priority, accepting with open arms her children’s partners, P.J. and Michelle, and her step-granddaughter, Kate. She was deeply proud of all Tracey and Jeff’s achievements, always involved in their lives and there to lend a helping hand. Wendy passed along her love of crafts and animals to her granddaughter, Brooke, who she spent many weekends with teaching how to needlepoint, draw and watching animal documentaries. The love and laughter Wendy shared with her granddaughter was unsurpassed.

Another passion that Wendy shared with her granddaughter was travel. For many, many years, Wendy, Keith and Brooke would pack up their motorhome and spend the summer driving around B.C. and Alberta camping. Wendy and Brooke would make up games to play together while Keith drove, then she would set up camp while Keith and Brooke took off to explore the campground. Before having a grandchild, Wendy and Keith would hop on their Honda Goldwing and go on road trips throughout Canada and the U.S. This time that they spent together Wendy treasured. Wendy adored San Francisco and Vancouver Island, always recounting stories of the amazing times they’d had there on their visits, and always yearned to go back. She loved being near the ocean, finding calmness and solace in the sound of the waves. After Keith retired from the Burnaby fire department, he took up part time work with Mission towing. Wendy would often tag along on these long-haul trucking journeys, so that they could explore more of the world together and keep each other company.

Wendy was a compassionate, strong, hilarious and warm-hearted woman who will be deeply missed by not only her family and friends, but all the members of the Mission community, and beyond, whose lives she has touched.

A celebration of life will be held in early April, an exact date is TBA.