Wendy Williams Winston, 51, passed away peacefully in Tampa, FL on 6 June 2018 following a short battle with cancer. She was at home, surrounded by her family and faithful dog.Born in Fairmont WV, the only child of Barbara and Brent Williams, Wendy grew up in the Clarksville, Pennsylvania area, but traveled extensively and lived all over the world, most recently in Botswana. She was a beloved daughter, wife, and mother.

Wendy and her husband Greg met in Colorado Springs in September of 1990 and were inseparable from their second date on, marrying at West Point, NY in 1993. They spent the next 25 years traveling the world together as part of his Army career. They moved 13 times, living all over the U.S. as well as in Germany, India, Nepal, and Botswana, and raising their sons Kyle and Max along the way.

She and Greg were supremely compatible best friends and partners who never transitioned out of the honeymoon stage. They were so extremely and unusually close that their children still don't know what a marital argument looks like.

Wendy was very adventurous and was up for nearly any activity. She scuba dived, went solo paragliding, motorcycling, safari camping, salmon fishing, and hiking in the Himalayas, among other pursuits. About the only thing she didn't like to do was shop. She was a long time competitive tennis player who was involved in various leagues and in 2012 captained the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu team to victory in the Quetta Cup. She crushed anyone she bowled with and was a crack shot, something her husband learned early in their relationship. She especially liked the water and went sailing often with her family in Hawaii and Florida. Wendy was very social and enjoyed cards and other games with friends. While she chose to spend her time at home caring for her family when her boys were young, she was also a highly regarded worker, working as a diplomat twice in U.S. Embassies overseas in addition to various stateside jobs.

She endured her battle with cancer with unbelievable strength, courage, and grace. Despite being given what was essentially a death sentence in October 2017 she never complained about her fate. She did everything possible to stop her tumor, but thanks to her faith was at peace even when the various treatments she tried failed. She was very dignified throughout the process and looked so good, even in the final stages of her illness, that few outside her immediate family had any idea of just how seriously ill she was. She never volunteered that she was sick and didn't want anyone worrying over her.

At a hastily organized farewell party in Botswana for her, it was Wendy who was consoling everyone else instead of the other way around – typical for her. She was always smiling, full of positive energy, and was someone everyone wanted to be around, men and women alike.

Wendy was an excellent cook with a feisty red-headed personality and a great sense of humor. She loved animals, especially her yellow lab Allie, who she rescued and took everywhere with her. She was kind, generous, and fun, and despite cutting her own hair and rarely wearing makeup she always looked fabulous.

Wendy was confident and personable. She was elected Prom Queen her senior year of High School, not so much on the basis of her good looks, but more because of her personality and friendship with her classmates. She made friends quickly and easily and leaves a wide network of acquaintances across the US, Asia, Europe, and Africa. She was the type of person others gravitated to for help with their own problems and she was always willing to listen and assist. Ironically, when an old friend received a tough diagnosis not long before her own, Wendy was on the next flight out of Africa to spend time helping the family.

Wendy was principled, with a very strong will, and often stood up for herself and others, becoming the first woman to ever take wood and metal shop in her High School, over various administrative objections, paving the way for others to follow. She was very intelligent and hardworking, graduating from the California University of Pennsylvania in just 3 years while also working constantly.

Wendy lived a very full life in her short 51 years, doing and seeing more than most people accomplish in twice that time. She was very nearly killed in the 2004 Asian Tsunami, when she was swept into the water while vacationing in Phuket, Thailand. Those factors helped provide her perspective on her illness. The Chaplain at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was so astounded by her unbelievable attitude in the fall of 2017 that he frequently used her during his sermons as an example of strength and faith in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Wendy was a unique and wonderful person who had a positive impact on everyone who knew her. She was incredibly beautiful inside and out, and her devastating loss leaves a huge hole in our lives and hearts.May she rest in peace.

In addition to her husband Greg and sons Kyle and Max, she is survived by her mother, Barbara Williams of Clarksville, PA, father Brent and stepmother Loretta Williams of Fairmont, WV, parents-in-law Linda and Eric Winston of Union, WV, sister-in-law Tess Winston-Sims, brother-in-law Terry and niece Hallie of Poughkeepsie, NY.

A memorial service celebrating Wendy's life will be held on Sunday 26 August at 3:00 PM at the Baptist Church in Jefferson, Pennsylvania (179 Pine St, Jefferson, PA 15344), the area south of Pittsburgh where she grew up.

"ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE" MacDonald Funeral Home