Birth date: Jun 6, 1954 Death date: Oct 21, 2024
Wendy Sue (James) Shreve, 70, of Tallahassee went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, October 21, 2024 after suffering for 15+ years from vascular dementia. For the past four years Wendy was a resident of Azalea Gardens, a m Read Obituary
I wrote this today, June 5. I do know that Wendy’s birthday was June 6th.
June 6, 2025. Tomorrow is Wendy’s birthday. It is taking me awhile to process this huge loss. We shared a bedroom all the time growing up, so we were closer than most though she was 6 years younger.
I can see her life-guarding at the pool, with a body that found itself difficult to float because she was mostly muscle. She always took her responsibilities seriously, but always knew how to make things fun. I can see her every fall marching in uniform with her clarinet at football games. She (and Dale) were an integral part of Blissfield early on.
I will never forget their wedding (one Aunt Bim called “the perfect country wedding) where they were so comfortable together—their relationship started at age 14. I’ll admit I caused them a bit of concern as I had to keep having my bridesmaid dress let out because I was 8.5 months pregnant.
I remember them having a special relationship with their science teacher, Art Brewer, and when they moved away, chuckling every year at his hilarious Christmas letter. He was always their class advisor so as perennial officers of their class, he knew them outside of class as well.
I can see Wendy after her initial graduation from nursing school. She charged up the aisle bursting with energy and such joy. Just the first of her many accomplishments as an exceptionally talented RN. She worked a lot of 11 to 7 shifts so she could be home for Eric and Emmy. I was amazed at how she found time to crochet individual pumpkin badges for their entire classes. She was always involved with school, dance, and modeling classes throughout. She had a great time choosing the dresses for pageants with every detail in place. She worked behind the scenes for every dance recital.my daughter Tori loved dance, too, so we shared the special relationship of mothers of dancers.
When my daughter broke her arm at the elbow, Wendy sent me mix and match pink and green outfits with tabard tops since it was very difficult to get a two year old to manipulate sleeves successfully. Wendy supported me through the initial surgery, the corrective surgery, and all the physical therapy required, although we lived in separate places.
I remember her shedding tears when I went off to college, when I got married, and when my first baby died in infancy, We shared laughs at Cedar Point when our families got together some summers, especially as the kids grew tall enough for real rides and when with the 4 of the kids sharing a bathtub to remove sand, my daughter wanted to see what would happen if she pulled on this knob and Wendy got an unexpected shower.
For being 6 years apart in age, our lives were always intertwined. Knowing I hated to be the center of attention, she arranged to have the restaurant staff sing happy birthday to me while dancing around our table. She got a big kick out of planning surprises for people. Wendy adored Dale, Eric, and Emmy (and her dogs) and tried to squeeze fun out of every moment.
After they moved to Florida, we still got together. She was amazed when I didn’t know how to make a white sauce and teased me and taught me how, even though her stamina and memory were inconsistent as she aged. She chose the best husband who cared for her lovingly and meticulously through good times and who embodies their wedding vows “through sickness and in health.”
I will love and miss her as long as I’m here.
Linda James Scharp, who had the best sister ever.
Part of being a parent is not knowing what you are doing. You draw on your parents and grandparents for what worked and what didnt. You try to replicate and improve on what worked and leave the rest behind. I know mom tried to move the ball forward. Ive drawn on that with my kids. I also know she was always and advocate for emily/me. Even if we were wrong.
I tell my kids during sports that there could be 1000 people there and I could hear my mom's voice like she was standing next to me on the field/ice. Its kinda odd to know ill never hear it again. - Eric
Wendy was right by my side while I was in labor with her first grandchild, Lowell. She held my hand and helped me breathe through my contractions telling me exactly what was going on and what it should feel like. She helped me through the uncertainty and anxiety of child birth. She was a caretaker.
By the next Christmas she had taught Lowell to answer the question, "How big is Lowell?" by throwing his hands up in the air when she'd say "So Big"! She took a picture and made me a card for Christmas. I'm always the one making homemade cards and crafts so it was extra special to me that she made me that card with Lowell's picture. The things she did were special.
I wish she would have had more time with the grandkids. She would have taught them so much.
We miss you, Wendy.
Wendy was a woman of many talents. I was constantly surprised by the skills that she knew, and excelled in: From sewing to event planning, I’m not sure there was anything that she hadn’t mastered. For me what especially stood out, and what I will be forever grateful to her for is introducing new dishes into my life. During the first Thanksgiving that I spent with the Shreves I was confused as to why we were having cabbage rolls, which I had never had before, let alone at a holiday meal. I went ahead and tried and to my delight, it was absolutely delicious. From then on I was hooked! Fortunately her culinary talents have been passed on to her daughter and in addition to raising an incredible woman that I have the privilege of sharing my life with, I am forever grateful to Wendy for the gifts and knowledge she has given to our family.
It is hard to put into words all that encompasses my Mom. She was the epitome of hard work. She worked as a nurse, went to school to further her nursing education, was often our classroom mom, on top of usually organizing a fund-raising event (Morely candy boxes for days), or leading my Brownie Troop (she did throw me in the lake once trying to help me jump over it, summarizing our camping abilities). I don't remember a field trip she didn't chaperone, and even when I left home at 14 to attend a boarding school for ballet, she never missed a phone call and even surprised me once to the extent of hiding her car in the parking lot so I would not notice she had arrived. For someone who really didn't enjoy pumping her own gas, that was a huge feat.
One time we traveled to audition for Boston Ballet. I made it almost to the end and got cut right before big jumps. I remember being so disappointed, but she took me out to a truly Boston dinner (“lobsta’”)and then even though we were totally exhausted we rented Mr. Bean (and also realized even when slap happy Mr. Bean was not our style). She was a great parent over the phone while I was having a typical teenage girl meltdown. She was able to talk me off of a ledge and try to help me understand what was in my locus of control. I hated that locus so much when I was 15, but now I open my mouth and hear my Mom pop out with the words I am saying to my own 15 year old daughter who will also probably despise that locus of control until she too has her own 15 year old daughter.
We shared a pretty similar dark sense of humor, a low tolerance for things that appeared unfair, a momma bear like ferocity if anyone looks at our children funny (like the time she went after a ref in a soccer game with an umbrella after Eric had been concussed and the ref did not manage it to her satisfaction). She also taught me that we fight as a family. When I was away at school my family decided to play family volleyball at the high school my brother attended. The three of them together is always a good time, let alone the mocking of the other teams and the gym teacher who was convinced the ball was not out however, and would instead refer to it as a "miss". I would live for the phone call that provided an update on what happened at the game that week. One time, my brother and my mom were particularly upset about a call. My brother started spouting off and then quickly realized that was probably not the correct course of action, until Mom proudly said “No, we will fight as a family”. Just one of the many instances she demonstrated her commitment and devotion to the herd.
She was always inventing new awards for long road trips to help us remain occupied in the car in the times where cell phones did not exist. Even though she somehow managed to win the award every time, Eric and I never stopped trying to dethrone her. She taught us 52 card pick up and "Hurts Donut" in the same day and always had a funny saying or code word, or poem to help us survive a situation we were not sure we wanted to participate in (many poems about Art class since neither Eric or I had much aptitude for visual arts).
Whether she was helping me paint my face grey to be a mouse in my first Nutcracker, or express ordering pointe shoes so I would have enough in high school or attending my last professional production prior to retiring from POTS, she was always ready to lend a hand and support my goals. I have two teens and I can't imagine letting them leave at 14 to pursue their goals and dreams and I was so grateful my parents believed I could.
Tammi and I continue to pray for my brother Dale and his family as we grieve the loss of Wendy Sue. Today, we honor my only sister-in-law with heart-felt memories and reflection.
My earliest memory of Wendy was at the Blissfield pool, where she was a sun-tanned lifeguard. To keep swimmers safe, she wielded a whistle and was not afraid to use it.
I am two years younger than Dale and Wendy and I bummed many car rides with them on the way to high school, to church youth group, to softball games, to Toledo, etc. I spent a lot of time in the car with Wendy and Dale and they would let me sit in the car’s front bench seat with them,,, sometimes.
We had epic Monopoly games on the kitchen table in Palmyra.
Wendy’s birthday was two days before mine so we celebrated birthdays together.
I admired her passionate commitment to her very successful nursing career.
On special occasions, fortunate guests enjoyed eating her famous Hungarian cabbage rolls.
Wendy was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Tammi and I loved the special effort Wendy made as she offered her daughter Emily’s most beautiful and elaborate out-grown dresses to our daughter, Andrea.
We remember Wendy being kind and generous with our children, Andrea and Adam.
We were blessed to share many formal holiday meals around our parent’s (Lowell and Jean) table with Dale, Wendy, Eric, & Emily.
With love,
Bruce & Tammi Shreve
What an extraordinary obituary/tribute to an extraordinary woman! Wendy obviously impacted so many lives, organizations and the medical profession as a whole. Her legacy will live on through her cherished family and all those who loved and respected her! Sending love and prayers to Dale (a fellow Palmyra School and BHS alum) and the rest of the family! I will be lighting a candle tonight!
