Wendy Elizabeth Johnson (née Wheelock) passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on December 2, 2025, at the age of 76 at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Wendy is survived by her two children, Mathew Johnson (Laura) and Clara Kennedy (Lee), as well as her beloved grandchildren Gregory, Sadi, Logan, Ella Quinn and Kaia. She is also survived by her siblings Brian Wheelock (Anne) and Anne Vickery (Kevin) and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, their families, and her many close friends. Wendy was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Elizabeth Wheelock.

Born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Wendy loved the ocean and the Maritimes all her life. She went to school at Acadia University and Boston College, where she earned a Masters in Deaf Blind Education. Wendy spent her career working with adults and children with various special needs. After working as a teacher in Toronto, Ontario, she moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, to work for the City of Medicine Hat as Special Children's Consultant, working with preschool children and, in particular, hearing-impaired children. She next joined the Medicine Hat College to create and coordinate their Intervenor for Deaf Blind Persons program. Wendy subsequently became the Director of Special Education for Southview Kiddie Kampus in Medicine Hat, where she evaluated and assessed the intervention requirements of children with special needs, secured funding, and coordinated the provision of those services. At the end of her career, she was the Regional Autism Coordinator for the Core Association, where she advocated for children with autism and their families throughout Southern Alberta in order to get diagnoses, supports and funding.

Although her work had a significant impact on her community, Wendy never sought recognition or praise. She did it because she cared and wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. She was relentless in advocating and fighting for her clients. She never stopped pushing for better funding and better programs. In doing so, she helped many families throughout Medicine Hat and across Southern Alberta. 

Wendy lived life to the fullest, got into trouble with friends and made everyone around her more comfortable. She loved swimming, golf and tennis, jazz and other live music, and a good glass of wine. She was exuberant, full of joy, and the best kind of weird. She danced and sang when she sunk a putt and her loved ones understood what it meant when she started using sign language after a glass of wine or two. She loved to travel, whether to Italy with friends, or to Nova Scotia with her family. Mat and Clara still remember living for a year in England with their parents and appreciate all of the doors she opened and opportunities she made possible through her support.

Most importantly, Wendy was a loving mother and grandmother and would do anything for her family and friends. Her love, generosity and support were unconditional, especially for her five grandchildren whom she adored more than anything. She was a best friend and constant support for her children and was always there when needed. Wendy's legacy lives on in all of the lives she has shaped and inspired.

Wendy's family is forever grateful to the staff on unit 111 at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, and especially to the staff of 4 west and 2 north at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their care, compassion and professionalism over the past few months.

The memorial service will be held in the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant, Pat Grisonich officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. The memorial service and the interment will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend the service virtually, please visit the follow link or click the button below: https://youtube.com/live/nWzviA51ECY?feature=share.Those who wish to attend the interment virtually, please visit the follow link or click the button below: https://www.youtube.com/@pattisonfuneralhome7497/streams.Following the interment you are invited to join the family for a reception in Wendy’s honour.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CKUA, CNIB, or Autism Canada in Wendy's memory. To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.