Wendy Mitchell - 1934 - 2023
From the Parish News – August 2023.
Wendy came to live in Denton thirty years ago when she decided to take up caring for the elderly as her retiring career. Wendy was a very private person, consequently she was only known locally for her compassionate caring ability which she had demonstrated to members of the community in the area.
A small congregation at her funeral heard of her very varied lifetime career, born in Northumberland and educated at Harben School, she was a strong athlete and represented the school in Netball and swimming. Her first employment was at the John Lewis Partnership, but followed this with eighteen months on her Uncle's farm before spending 5 years as a Nanny to a continental family, this may have been the start of her vocation for caring for people. Wendy then worked for Egan Electric Ltd where she rose to a supervisory role, this was based on Canvey Island where despite the 1953 storm and flood they managed to keep the factory in production.
In 1957 Wendy had a daughter, Johanna, and a son Ashley was born in 1963. Sadly Ashley became unwell and died in his early forties, Wendy cared for him at her home here in Denton at the end of his life, a very stressful time for her.
Wendy built up quite a menagerie of pets at her home which were all cared for with complete devotion, these included a Westie dog, two cats, pet chickens and a canary given to her by Rae Stribling who had become her very close friend and confidant over a period of eighteen years. They would share social activities such as Pub lunches and even holidays together on a Rhine cruise and other places. Sadly Rae, who also had a wonderful caring ability, died eighteen months ago. Wendy missed her dreadfully, but Rae's husband Alan stepped in to help Wendy in her final years and was invaluable in his support.
Wendy will be remembered for her dedication and loving compassion, and just that little bit of eccentricity?