Wendy Patricia Havens, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and caring friend to many passed away with her daughter Jodie at her side at Haro Park Centre on Friday night, January 9, 2026 at the age of 83. Many friends and family came on her final day to visit, play music, sing songs for her and cradle her in love.

Wendy was predeceased by her parents, Charles “Charlie/Chas” Frederick Havens and Dagny Johanna (Larsen), as well as her former husband and father of her children, Harvey Wenschlag.

She is survived by her six sisters: Judi (Pat) Brady, Bernice (Robert “Bob”) Salzmann, Linda (Stephen) Beaulieu, Katherine (Larry) Dayman, Colleen Colbert, and Annette (Greg) Roth; her brother, Mack (Cheryl) Havens; and all their respective children, comprising Wendy’s nieces and nephews.

Wendy is also survived by her numerous cousins and their families, as well as her three children and their families: Stuart (Kana Inoue), Jason, and Jodie Wenschlag. Jodie’s daughters, Karlie and Jessie Owens, are her granddaughters. Karlie’s children, Nikolai and Victor, are her great-grandsons.

Wendy was born in Drumheller, Alberta, and raised in the hamlet of Western Monarch situated across the river from East Coulee. As the eldest of eight children, she and her family lived in a four-room house, one of 45 row houses built by the mining company for its employees. While the house had cold running water and electricity, it lacked plumbing, a furnace, a basement, a porch, or landscaping.

Wendy’s dad was a heavy duty mechanic who maintained the coal haul trucks for the mine, and her mom took care of the children and the household. Wendy thrived and formed lifelong friendships at East Coulee School from grades one to nine, then continued at Drumheller High School for grade ten. However, at the end of grade ten, she realized she would not be returning to school in the fall. Determined to attend the Marvel Beauty School in Calgary, she secured a job at Jimmy’s Groceteria in Drumheller and a temporary room at her Uncle Tex’s place over the summer. When her former classmates returned to school, Wendy said “...I felt very, very left behind and vulnerable, acutely wishing I could be in school too.” Nevertheless, she persevered, and after saving enough money, she moved to the city in February 1958 to start her beauty culture and cosmetology courses. It was at this time when she met her future husband, Harvey.

Sadly, life took a turn in August 1960 when she learned her father had died of a heart attack. She returned to East Coulee for a time to support her siblings and mother in that time of great grief and uncertainty.

Wendy and Harvey married in November and moved to the U.S. in February 1961, where Wendy supported her husband during university. In 1965, they returned to Canada and rented an apartment in New Westminster, followed by additional moves around B.C. as Harvey's career developed. During this time, Wendy gave birth to their three children—Stuart, Jason, and Jodie. While she loved motherhood, she often felt isolated and alone as the family settled first in Taghum, then in South Slocan, with Harvey frequently travelling for work. It was during this period that Wendy studied fine arts at David Thompson University in Nelson. Keenly observant, creative, and motivated, she excelled in producing many beautiful, expressive drawings and paintings.

Unfortunately, after a few years in the Kootenays the marriage fell apart. Wendy had no choice but to return to Alberta for family support. She was sad and in despair after losing a custody battle for the children that she loved dearly. However, it was at this time when her mother Dagny and all her siblings rallied behind her and gave much needed love and support. Wendy bonded with them and resumed where things had left off when she was only sixteen years old.

In 1980, with great courage and entrepreneurial spirit she returned to Drumheller to take over her Uncle Tex’s Barber Shop. At that time her love of painting had truly blossomed and she launched the Cactus Flower Art Gallery within Wendy’s Barber Shop.

In 1989, Wendy felt an irresistible pull to be near her children once again, so she returned to Vancouver and eventually settled into her Trinity Street apartment in East Vancouver. Her third floor balcony, familiar to her many visiting friends and family, was surrounded by lush greenery, flowers, aggressive squirrels, and birds, and overlooked the Vancouver harbour and rail lines. Her place was the setting for many parties and music jams hosted by Wendy as she fussed about making sure everyone was well fed and felt at home. Her friends were connected to her many pursuits and involvement with churches, choirs, creative writing groups, the Downtown Eastside Education Centre, the Carnegie Centre, festivals and Shaw TV, and the list goes on. She loved community, music, singing and dancing and experiencing life to the full.

Wendy embraced the thrill of being a grandmother and great-grandmother by spending time with and nurturing her grandchildren as they grew. She deeply valued their presence in her life and demonstrated her love for them with patience, generosity and kindness.

Alas, in 2021, dementia began to turn Wendy’s life upside down. Routine tasks that we all take for granted became overwhelming. In May 2024, she moved to Long-Term Care at Haro Park Centre. Over time she made friends and enjoyed participation in the music programs and other activities. The care staff was always there to attend to her changing needs, and friends and family provided support and love like never before. Many rich and wonderful memories were created during Wendy’s final years. She will be remembered with both sorrow for the loss and happiness for the great gifts she has bestowed on all who have had the good fortune to have known her.

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The Vancouver Memorial Service and Reception took take place at 1:30 pm, Saturday, January 31 at The Longhouse Church, 2595 Franklin St, in Vancouver.

***UPDATE! Feb 9, 2026

The Calgary Funeral and Reception will commence at 2:30 pm sharp (NEW TIME!), Wednesday, February 18 at the Mountain View Cemetery, Garden of Memories, 1605 – 100th Street SE, Calgary.

This event is outdoors - chairs are available, if needed.

Reception to immediately follow at 3212 Bear's Paw Drive, NW, Calgary.

Please RSVP as early as possible to Stuart at wph.estate@gmail.com or text/call 1-604-716-0055.