Wendy Allen Wheeler of Hingham, formerly of Cleveland, and New Haven, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her husband and children on February 6, 2013. It was the most peaceful, graceful death one could wish for. She was comfortable, her family talked with her all the way, holding her and loving her as she departed this world. She did not even skip a beat- she just moved smoothly from here to there. She had made it clear what she wanted and, in perfect form, it happened. It was beautiful.
Her immediate surviving family includes her husband of 53 years, Robert B. Wheeler; her son Daniel Wheeler and his wife Maggie of Los Angeles, CA, and their children Juno and Gemma; her son Andrew Wheeler and his wife Deb of Newton, MA, and their children Lucas and Eli; her daughter Amy Wheeler of Medfield, MA, and her children Wesley, Kelsey, Patrick and Laurel; her daughter Beth Wheeler and her partner Emmy Shacter of Takoma Park, MD, and their children Gabriel and Matai. She leaves her sisters Nancy Vaughn and her husband Jim of Essex, CT and Martha Ross and her husband John of West Falmouth, MA; her brother P.K. Allen and his wife Phoebe of West Simsbury, CT and sister-in-law Joan Kaufman of Bedford, MA.
Wendy had a private psychotherapy practice from 1975-1990 in Cleveland, Boston, and in New Haven. For 17 years, from 1979-1996, she brought those same skills annually to a residential personal growth workshop for women she co-led called “Women’s Way. From 1980-1984 she was on the faculty at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA where she developed and ran the counseling program. She also served as a trustee of the school for 28 years, including 8 years as President. She developed a passion for the arts and tirelessly promoted the importance of arts in education. Her watercolors and pottery fill the homes of people she loved across the country. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994 and undergoing treatment, she self-published a book entitled "Path Through the Fire", describing her journey and the use of inner creative resources as a means of healing. The book was created for anyone facing trauma in their lives and all 2000 copies were sold.
Wendy was blessed with a kind and inviting nature, a quick wit and an open, generous mind. She had great integrity, uncanny intuition, and a probing intelligence. With her wide disarming smile and a welcoming attitude, Wendy brought warmth and sustenance to the lives of friends, family, and colleagues even as she battled her illness over the last 19 years. In fact, her strength and incredible resilience became an inspiration to all who crossed her path.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at 11:30 am at the First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon St., Newton, MA. Donations in Wendy's memory may be made to the Wheeler Scholarship Fund at Walnut Hill School, Natick, MA 01760 or Old Colony Hospice, 247 No. Main St., Suite 400, Randolph, MA 02368. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.