Wendy moved into Sunrise Assisted Living in March 2007. She had visited Victoria at Christmas, with no plan to move here. But just to keep our options open, we went to look at a midtown assisted living facility. Wendy hated it. We agreed to try one more place, and when Wendy saw Sunrise she asked, “When can I move in?”  The decor was almost a match for her own home, so maybe that was why.

She was happy to be with son Tim (left) and his wife Jane. Two grandchildren were nearby in Vancouver.

In the early years, Wendy enjoyed reading, TV, writing letters, bus rides, and conversation over dinner. Tim and Jane visited regularly, and a weekly coffee outing became the routine, with the occasional lunch.

 

 

In October 2009, Wendy traveled to Vancouver for the wedding of granddaughter Marianne to Adam Wincey at the Vancouver Museum.

 

 

 

 

In October 2012, Wendy got to meet great-granddaughter Callista Jane Wincey (left) at Sunrise.

As Wendy’s symptoms from Alzheimer’s increased, she gave up a few activities each year. The coffee rides continued until December 2012.

She moved to the third floor at Sunrise in November 2012, to a cozier environment with more staff per resident.

Night-time falls two weeks apart seemed to accelerate Wendy’s decline. Her brother Terry came from England, also representing brother Peter, and we were blessed with several visits of smiles and shared memories.  Wendy’s condition then deteriorated rapidly, and she passed quietly on February 16, 2013.

We thank the staff at Sunrise of Victoria for their consistently gentle, caring support over nearly six years.