GONSALVES, Wendy Jennifer
June 16, 1938 - Dec 31, 2011

After years of travelling and enjoying life while valiantly battling inoperable lung disease, with grace and courage Wendy weighed her options and chose to surrender with dignity at the onset of Lung Cancer. Wendy passed away peacefully with family at her side at the Central Okanagan Hospice in Kelowna, BC.

Predeceased by her parents, Douglas and Winnifred, and her sister Shirley Towers, Wendy is survived, and deeply missed by her three children, Brenda, Craig and Jane, and four grandchildren, Russell, Veronica, Patrick and Emily. Wendy (nee Brown) was born in Ealing (London) England, the second of 2 daughters to Norman Douglas Brown and Winnifred Ethel Kemp. At the tender age of 5 she lost her young father, a pharmacist and optician to bone cancer. Termed an orphan, Wendy was placed in an orphanage where she remained for 10 years.

Immigrating to Toronto in 1958 Wendy worked as a Medical Secretary in the Hospital for Sick Children where she met and married Charles Gonsalves, during his medical internship. Three children followed while they moved to Vancouver, Saskatchewan and Calgary completing Charles internship. They purchased a Medical Practice in Calgary and eventually divorced in 1967. Wendy returned to the workforce, running the Calgary office for Premier Harry Strom and then on to the University of Calgary attaining her BA, which she used in the employ of the City of Calgary, social services. Then, on to Olds College (AB) for a degree in Horticulture, strengthening a true passion which she initially expressed through opening a seasonal garden centre. 1980 brought Wendy to Kelowna where she became active with numerous clubs and associations and joyfully embraced the Okanagan lifestyle. Through her life Wendy developed many interests and talents. She was an avid gardener, traveler, skier, competition tennis player (winning the Alberta mixed doubles tennis championship), bird watcher, writer, painter, patron of the arts and philanthropist. During the past 20 years, Wendy spent increasing amounts of time in Mexico where she spoke fluent Spanish and enjoyed many great adventures and enduring friendships.

In 2004 Wendy was deeply honoured to be Westbank’s representative, appointed to the BC Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform and proudly traveled the province engaging the public in and stimulating discussion on this issue.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the wonderful staff and volunteers at the Central Okanagan Hospice for their compassionate care during her final five weeks. Also, heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Moritz for her expertise and care with Wendy's treatment. The family would also like to specifically thank Harold and Delores Thornton, Shirley Grant, Stanley (Smitty) Dick and all the friends who provided continued support and companionship through this journey.

A memorial service will be held at the Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd., Kelowna on Thursday, January 5th 2012 at 1:00 pm. A small reception will follow.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.

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