Wendy Marie Menzies, 49, died suddenly Feb. 26, 2005, near her home in Orangeville, ﾠOnt.

Wendy was born in Shoal Lake, Man., on Nov. 22, 1955, on a night so stormy that her parents, Marge and the late George Menzies, briefly entertained the idea of naming her Windy.

Growing up in rural Shoal Lake, Wendy developed a life-long love for just about everything related to horses. She had her own pony, Fleet, and was a member of the 4H Rainbow Riders and took part in musical rides and gymkhanas. As an adult, she rode whenever she could, wherever she was. She also trained to massage stressed or weary horses and to bring them comfort, a task which gave her great pleasure.

Living across the street from Alice and Lionel Shust, Wendy and younger brother Ian became friends with the Shust kids, Laurie, Joanie and David. They grew up together, played together and got into mischief together. Wendy and Laurie once fed mud pies to Ian.

Over the years, Wendy kept in touch with many of her Shoal Lake friends and in recent years through online programs like Classmates re-established contact with even more.

Following graduation, Wendy moved to Winnipeg where in 1978 she married Neil Sparrow. They had three children, Leana, born in 1985, and twins Sean and Marissa, in 1987.

After their marriage ended, Wendy met Peter Connor with whom she had son Rhodri in 1996. Peter and Wendy were married in 1998.

While living in Winnipeg, Wendy developed an interest in teaching English as a second language. She took an online course and went to Progreso, Mexico, to do her practicum. She quickly took to the people and the climate of ﾠthe Yucatan Peninsula.

In 2003, Wendy, Rhodri and Peter, an airline pilot, pulled up stakes and moved to Chicxulub, near Progreso, on the Gulf of Mexico. It as an idyllic year for all of them. Wendy taught English, ﾠRhodri learned Spanish and the three of them welcomed friends and family from the frigid north. They returned to Canada in spring 2004 and settled in Orangeville, northwest of Toronto.

Cremation was arranged by Egan Funeral Home of Orangeville. A memorial service may be announced at a later date. Wendy wanted her ashes taken to Mexico, where she felt at home.

Wendy will be mourned and missed by her husband Peter, sons Rhodri and Sean, daughters Leana and Marissa, her mother Margery Menzies, brothers Don of Rio de Janiero, Ian of San Francisco, and sister Diane of Campbellford, Ont. And by friends all over Canada, Mexico and elsewhere.

Donations in Wendy’s memory may be made to the SPCA or the World Wildlife Federation.

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