I received the email early this morning from Wendy’s blog. I have so much admiration for her, and gratitude to you Anna for your work with Wendy. What an incredibly valuable body of work she leaves behind! What a light she shone. The value of the connections / educations she leaves behind is immeasurable IMO.
I have been watching her weight / muscle mass decrease for a while now (day-job = dietitian / professional distraction), and - that fall down the stairs….
So I cannot say I was surprised - but what did surprise me was the sustained intensity of Wendy’s determination to leave on her own terms. Despite the unwelcome guest in her head.
What an absolute legend she was.
Thinking of those close to her - such a force of nature will surely leave a big vacuum.
I will miss the lovely photos of her walks lighting up my dreary email list.
But I am sure there will be a robin called Wendy who will be checking in on all her beloved family, friends, and animals.
Sending you love and hugs, Anna. I found you through Wendy's blog a fair few years ago and have looked forward to the emails announcing another blog - from either of you! I felt such a mix of tears, sitting at my desk at work yesterday when I got her final email. And such admiration for her determination to do things her way. Uplifting, although I am not underestimating the strength required by her and her daughters and friends to support her leaving us on her terms, and the pain and loss for you now.
I never met Wendy but feel I knew her - she touched so many people's lives. So thank you for all you did to help her find a voice and being such a lovely friend. So glad you managed a trip to the Lake District with her - what a stock of wonderful memories you will have and what a role model!
I saw that on twitter yesterday, posted by her daughters, and thought of you. In fact, thought of you all. My cousin took a similar decision at 60 whilst she still could and refused all food and drinkk. Life feels so transient.
Anna, I’ve posted a Note, as you see. But to emphasize… what an extraordinary thing you did with your talent as a writer to help Wendy tell her story. I was lucky enough to discover Wendy, through you, before she died. I’ve now read all three of her books. Thank you!
Anna, I am truly sorry for your loss. I have been following Wendy's blog for the past 4 years (after buying her first book at a train station). I admired her strength and was in awe of everything she enabled herself to do. She absolutely redefined my perception of dementia and educated so many of us on its reality. I did not know her, only through her words, but the tears came up reading her last blog.
I hope that her family and friends find some peace in knowing that she went as she chose, always in control and with a free mind.
I was so saddened to learn of Wendy's courageous decision. I loved reading her daily blog seeing the beautiful photos and being soothed by her wisdom and positivity. Thank you Anna for giving Wendy her voice - you must miss her terribly. Your books are treasures. Thank you for helping me to understand dementia and for giving me the wisdom to try to be a better daughter. Big hugs.
Thank you Janet, yes I do miss her terribly and I am sure I always will. But her gentle wisdom lives on to help others have a better understanding of dementia. Her books will always be there to guide people through that journey. X
I have only just come across Wendy via your Substack Anna. I am moved beyond words. What an incredible woman she must have been. My dad has dementia and although he still knows who his closest family are, I can see him slipping away and dread the day that happens. He is becoming a different person, the old dad lost somewhere inside. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your wonderful friend.
Thank you Anna for being such a wonderful friend to dear Wendy. Between the two of you you have raised the subject of dementia to many thousands of people who now have a greater inside into this dreadful disease and hopefully changed thousands more peoples minds. As I write this tears are streaming down my face as well as a smile. Tears to think I will no longer have her words every morning and the beautiful photographs she shared ..my smile ? knowing that she did really beat dementia in the end . May God Bless her family and friends with peace in the coming days. Sybil Wilson..Box, Wiltshire
I am saddened to read this. Unlike other commentators, this is the first time I am meeting Wendy and hearing her story. Her final words… so powerful to read. The dignity of choice is something we should all have. Now to look into the series of books. I can only imagine what a profound relationship and experience this was for you. Peaceful thoughts to you and her daughters.
So sorry for your loss. Reading her post she sounds like an incredible woman. I’m not familiar with her books but I now feel compelled to read them. Thank you for your bravery in sharing all of this at what must be the hardest of times.
I received the email early this morning from Wendy’s blog. I have so much admiration for her, and gratitude to you Anna for your work with Wendy. What an incredibly valuable body of work she leaves behind! What a light she shone. The value of the connections / educations she leaves behind is immeasurable IMO.
I have been watching her weight / muscle mass decrease for a while now (day-job = dietitian / professional distraction), and - that fall down the stairs….
So I cannot say I was surprised - but what did surprise me was the sustained intensity of Wendy’s determination to leave on her own terms. Despite the unwelcome guest in her head.
What an absolute legend she was.
Thinking of those close to her - such a force of nature will surely leave a big vacuum.
I will miss the lovely photos of her walks lighting up my dreary email list.
But I am sure there will be a robin called Wendy who will be checking in on all her beloved family, friends, and animals.
🪷💫🌈 🌟❤️ ☺️
Oh yes, Sarah... there will be a robin called Wendy ❤️
Sending you love and hugs, Anna. I found you through Wendy's blog a fair few years ago and have looked forward to the emails announcing another blog - from either of you! I felt such a mix of tears, sitting at my desk at work yesterday when I got her final email. And such admiration for her determination to do things her way. Uplifting, although I am not underestimating the strength required by her and her daughters and friends to support her leaving us on her terms, and the pain and loss for you now.
I never met Wendy but feel I knew her - she touched so many people's lives. So thank you for all you did to help her find a voice and being such a lovely friend. So glad you managed a trip to the Lake District with her - what a stock of wonderful memories you will have and what a role model!
I was so, so lucky to know her, Lynne. Thank you for your lovely words. xx
I saw that on twitter yesterday, posted by her daughters, and thought of you. In fact, thought of you all. My cousin took a similar decision at 60 whilst she still could and refused all food and drinkk. Life feels so transient.
But she reminded us to live it to the fullest - remember she spent her last few years wingwalking, jumping out of planes and walking on hot coals!
Sending you, Wendy and her daughters ALL THE LOVE there is xxx
thank you, Tor 🙏🏼❤️
Anna, I’ve posted a Note, as you see. But to emphasize… what an extraordinary thing you did with your talent as a writer to help Wendy tell her story. I was lucky enough to discover Wendy, through you, before she died. I’ve now read all three of her books. Thank you!
Anna, I am truly sorry for your loss. I have been following Wendy's blog for the past 4 years (after buying her first book at a train station). I admired her strength and was in awe of everything she enabled herself to do. She absolutely redefined my perception of dementia and educated so many of us on its reality. I did not know her, only through her words, but the tears came up reading her last blog.
I hope that her family and friends find some peace in knowing that she went as she chose, always in control and with a free mind.
I will miss her.
Do take great care of yourself Anna. x
Thank you Geraldine, I think she redefined all our perceptions of dementia. She was a wonderful woman.
So sorry to hear this, Anna. But what a wonderful thing that you gave her voice.
I was so saddened to learn of Wendy's courageous decision. I loved reading her daily blog seeing the beautiful photos and being soothed by her wisdom and positivity. Thank you Anna for giving Wendy her voice - you must miss her terribly. Your books are treasures. Thank you for helping me to understand dementia and for giving me the wisdom to try to be a better daughter. Big hugs.
Thank you Janet, yes I do miss her terribly and I am sure I always will. But her gentle wisdom lives on to help others have a better understanding of dementia. Her books will always be there to guide people through that journey. X
This is very moving Anna, and what an amazing experience for you to have worked with her. Sending love ❤️
I was very, very lucky to have her in my life
I have only just come across Wendy via your Substack Anna. I am moved beyond words. What an incredible woman she must have been. My dad has dementia and although he still knows who his closest family are, I can see him slipping away and dread the day that happens. He is becoming a different person, the old dad lost somewhere inside. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your wonderful friend.
Thank you Clare. And I’m sorry to hear that your dad is also living with dementia. Hopefully you will discover Wendy’s books now too.
Thank you Anna for being such a wonderful friend to dear Wendy. Between the two of you you have raised the subject of dementia to many thousands of people who now have a greater inside into this dreadful disease and hopefully changed thousands more peoples minds. As I write this tears are streaming down my face as well as a smile. Tears to think I will no longer have her words every morning and the beautiful photographs she shared ..my smile ? knowing that she did really beat dementia in the end . May God Bless her family and friends with peace in the coming days. Sybil Wilson..Box, Wiltshire
Thank you Sybil, I’m exactly the same -- tears and smiles. I think Wendy would allow us those tears as long as there’s a smile too.
I am saddened to read this. Unlike other commentators, this is the first time I am meeting Wendy and hearing her story. Her final words… so powerful to read. The dignity of choice is something we should all have. Now to look into the series of books. I can only imagine what a profound relationship and experience this was for you. Peaceful thoughts to you and her daughters.
So sorry for your loss. Reading her post she sounds like an incredible woman. I’m not familiar with her books but I now feel compelled to read them. Thank you for your bravery in sharing all of this at what must be the hardest of times.
Thank you Jacqui, and yes, do read her books, there is so much life-affirming wisdom in there. Start with Somebody I Used to Know. ❤️
I'll take a look