Obituary for Wendy Anne Redwood (Massiah)
Redwood, Wendy Anne
Passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at the age of 85. Beloved wife of the late Guy Redwood. Loved mother of Lynda (Ian), Derek, David (Tracy), and Geoff (Lori). Cherished grandmother of Hunter (Lu), Hayden, Lucas, Sierra, Kate, Benjamin, Cole, Kennedie and great grandmother of Leia. Also lovingly remembered by her "brothers" Charlie Blades (Jean) and the late Philip Blades.
Wendy was born and raised in Barbados by her loving parents Kathleen and Rob. She had many close aunts and uncles that she admired. She attended Codrington College and later Lodge School (one of 2 girls who attended), where she excelled academically and participated in many extracurricular activities including netball. She made many lifelong friends at both schools that she stayed in touch with until her final days. Connection and friendship would be an enormously important theme in Wendy’s life.
Wendy left Barbados to attend McGill University in Montreal. There, she earned a degree in Occupational and Physiotherapy. She then earned a position at Kingston General Hospital and on a fateful ski trip to Lake Placid she met a dashing young ex Royal Navy Officer & Cambridge educated (and bald!) engineer. Both were hopeless skiers which is probably why they hit it off immediately.
Soon they were married and embarked on an incredible journey. As her husband’s career kept the family moving often, Wendy always put her children’s needs first. For the first fifteen years of her marriage she was constantly looking out for the best schools and neighborhoods. She kept herself very busy socially and kept up friendships by constantly updating her little red address books (pencil only please!). She was an avid tennis player - after she gave up playing, she loved watching tennis (Federer - yes please. Djokovic - thumbs down!. Raffa - cute!).
After living in Dalhousie NB, Montreal, Sarnia, Montreal (Again) Mississauga, Montreal (Again), the family made a final stop in Burlington. Wendy was resistant to go at first (cultural wasteland!) but Wendy soon made the most of it and grew to love living here. Eventually all of her children moved back to be within a 10 min drive and reap the rewards of her amazing hospitality and culinary skills. Wendy was a fabulous chef who had an uncanny ability to cook a multicourse meal that arrived at the table piping hot!
Wendy went back to school later in life to earn a diploma in Gerontology at George Brown College and worked in Toronto at Fellowship Towers. She enjoyed working with seniors as activities co-ordinator. She was also active as a member the Roseland Club, Probus Club of Burlington and was a keen self admitted “intermediate’ bridge enthusiast.
In her final six months, Wendy went through challenging health issues that she faced with grace and dignity. She never complained about her situation, she remained positive and grateful for the life that she had lived. Wendy touched the lives of so many people with her warmth, genuine love of people, family and those less fortunate. She will be forever missed but always remembered in our hearts.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday January 13, 2023 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. where the Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions to Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
Livestream of Service
Passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at the age of 85. Beloved wife of the late Guy Redwood. Loved mother of Lynda (Ian), Derek, David (Tracy), and Geoff (Lori). Cherished grandmother of Hunter (Lu), Hayden, Lucas, Sierra, Kate, Benjamin, Cole, Kennedie and great grandmother of Leia. Also lovingly remembered by her "brothers" Charlie Blades (Jean) and the late Philip Blades.
Wendy was born and raised in Barbados by her loving parents Kathleen and Rob. She had many close aunts and uncles that she admired. She attended Codrington College and later Lodge School (one of 2 girls who attended), where she excelled academically and participated in many extracurricular activities including netball. She made many lifelong friends at both schools that she stayed in touch with until her final days. Connection and friendship would be an enormously important theme in Wendy’s life.
Wendy left Barbados to attend McGill University in Montreal. There, she earned a degree in Occupational and Physiotherapy. She then earned a position at Kingston General Hospital and on a fateful ski trip to Lake Placid she met a dashing young ex Royal Navy Officer & Cambridge educated (and bald!) engineer. Both were hopeless skiers which is probably why they hit it off immediately.
Soon they were married and embarked on an incredible journey. As her husband’s career kept the family moving often, Wendy always put her children’s needs first. For the first fifteen years of her marriage she was constantly looking out for the best schools and neighborhoods. She kept herself very busy socially and kept up friendships by constantly updating her little red address books (pencil only please!). She was an avid tennis player - after she gave up playing, she loved watching tennis (Federer - yes please. Djokovic - thumbs down!. Raffa - cute!).
After living in Dalhousie NB, Montreal, Sarnia, Montreal (Again) Mississauga, Montreal (Again), the family made a final stop in Burlington. Wendy was resistant to go at first (cultural wasteland!) but Wendy soon made the most of it and grew to love living here. Eventually all of her children moved back to be within a 10 min drive and reap the rewards of her amazing hospitality and culinary skills. Wendy was a fabulous chef who had an uncanny ability to cook a multicourse meal that arrived at the table piping hot!
Wendy went back to school later in life to earn a diploma in Gerontology at George Brown College and worked in Toronto at Fellowship Towers. She enjoyed working with seniors as activities co-ordinator. She was also active as a member the Roseland Club, Probus Club of Burlington and was a keen self admitted “intermediate’ bridge enthusiast.
In her final six months, Wendy went through challenging health issues that she faced with grace and dignity. She never complained about her situation, she remained positive and grateful for the life that she had lived. Wendy touched the lives of so many people with her warmth, genuine love of people, family and those less fortunate. She will be forever missed but always remembered in our hearts.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday January 13, 2023 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. where the Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions to Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
Livestream of Service