Wendy Margaret Katila

Born April 26, 1936, into a joy-filled family, Wendy cherished her “Walton’s” childhood of growing up in a tiny house surrounded by parents and four siblings. She loved babies and carried a well-honed capacity to love into her role as a mother to Karen, Chris, and Jeremy Taylor. Wendy was sunshine, daisies, and daffodils and bloomed into a beautiful hippy-dippy island girl. She worked for years as a ferry ramp attendant on Hornby Island until she remarried. Wendy was a loving wife to Leo Katila for over 43 years, sharing in his passion for creating beautiful homes and gardens, and embracing his four children (and grandchildren) as her own. An extraordinarily creative “nana”, she shared talents for arranging flowers, painting rocks, reading stories, and beachcombing with her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, music, and dancing. Above all, Wendy valued family. She cherished hearing about her children’s and grandchildren’s lives and accomplishments. In her final days with Jeremy, she liked to park by the ocean, tell family stories, and listen to rock and roll while sharing a sandwich and a “good hot coffee!” Always grateful and gracious, her final words were “I love you, too” and “Thank you, thank you so much.” Her warm light and laughter, flowy dresses, and soft hands will be missed; she “found her way home” at last.

Wendy is predeceased by her parents “Doris” (Lillian Margaret) and Charles Oliver Clarke. Wendy is survived by brothers Bob (Bett) Clarke and Eric (Heather) Clarke and sisters “Joy” (Jocelyn) Wanless and Pamela Robson and their families, as well as her daughter Karen Taylor; son Chris Taylor (Corinne) and their children Nicola and Liam; son Jeremy Taylor (Leah) and their children Emily (Riley) and Michael; her husband Leo Katila and her stepchildren Linda Todsen (Rick), Steve Katila (Rowena), Gary Katila, and Darren Katila (Michelle) and their families.

Service Info: A Celebration of Life and scattering of ashes will be held in late August in Victoria, BC. Family will be informed of dates and location via email or phone call from Jeremy Taylor.