Wendy Lynn Slater age 55, passed away unexpectedly early Sunday morning August 27, 2017 at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. Wendy was born in Northridge, California on Tuesday February 20, 1962. Wendy is survived by her mother and father Cheryl and Allen Spooner, partner of 28 years Dale Belcher, her 3 children, daughter, Summer (Mikey) Leon, Son, Cody (Alisha) Stuck, daughter, Brittany Stuck, grandchildren Victoria, Samantha, Michael, Hannah, Cody, Emily, Arik, sister Debbie (Pat) Noon, brother, Obie Spooner, nieces, Kimberly, Breana, Jordyn, nephew Brian (Kelly), great niece Emma, great nephews, Caison, Keaton, Noah, and her two dogs Trojan and Cali.
Originally being from sunny California Wendy developed a love for water and the sun. She was known for being in competition with her sister Debbie to see who could be the tannest! Wendy’s love for water ran deep, so much that she was on the Canoga Park High School swim team. If she wasn’t in the ocean or in a pool you could find her laying out on the beach or by the pool side soaking up the UV rays with her iodine and baby oil. Her love for water can be memorialized in her children and grandchildren who are like fish themselves!
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s it was natural for Wendy to develop a deep passion for music, not to mention her father Allen had played several instruments during her childhood most notably the saxophone and flute. Wendy’s affinity for several types of music is derived from her time spent in church with her parents and living through the era of classic rock prominence. Wendy loved how music spoke to her heart, she could feel the passion and love in music. Wendy was known for sending her friends and family songs she had listened to that spoke to her whether that be old hymns to classic rock ballads. Wendy would immerse herself into music during any function. If there was music playing in the background at a family get together, in a restaurant, or in a store she was sure to sing along and call out the artist and the song. Wendy’s favorite band was Lynard Skynard. She would call herself “the breeze” after the band released the classic rock song “call the me breeze.” In 2017, Wendy along with her daughter Summer and daughter in law Alisha made their way to the front row of a Lynard Skynard concert to ensure they could get a full access view of the band and so Wendy could show off her custom-made shirt poking fun at herself because at that time she was in a wheel chair, stating “Call me the Breeze, I keep rolling down the road.” No matter Wendy’s struggles in life she would find solace in music.
Although raised in church, Wendy spent some time in Connecticut during her late teenage years and this is where she truly found the Lord. During her stay at “Youth Challenge” she was saved and had given her heart to the Lord. Her parents visited her during her stay in Connecticut and her mother Cheryl stated, “when she opened the door and we saw her it was like looking at an angel.” Wendy was noted saying that this time in her life she was at her happiest, she had the Lord’s love in her heart through and through.
As life does to all of us, we grow older. Wendy did what she could to ensure her parents were taken care of. If Wendy couldn’t directly help her parents she would call everybody in the family to seek the help needed. Wendy loved her parents. Wendy would constantly text and call her children to “call your grandparents.” She wanted her parents to know that they always had a support system through any trying times. Wendy’s relationship with her father Allen was like the Daddy Daughter relationship it should be. She looked at her father as being as close to God as possible. She cherished her parents no matter the challenges their relationship had. Wendy had never forgotten without her parents there would be no her.
Wendy had a deep emotional love and passion for her family. Wendy lived a very modest life yet did everything she could to show her love for her family whether that be through small trinkets she would buy for everybody just because she saw something you might like or her 2-hour conversations on the phone just talking about life with you or her random text messages saying, “I love you, have a good day” or just with her laughter. Wendy lived her life with what it means to be the quintessential example of having unconditional love. Although there may be disagreements and challenges with family Wendy would always forgive and love from the deepest part of her heart. Wendy yearned for that same love in return. Wendy didn’t display her love through big extravagate gifts she displayed her love through what truly matters which is her heart and personality. She gave herself to her family, all of herself.
Most of all Wendy had an undying love for her children and grandchildren. Wendy became a mother in her teenage years and from there had to do what she could to make ends meet. Although financially there were challenges Wendy never let a birthday, Christmas, holiday, or special event go by without making her children, grandchildren, and entire family feel special. Wendy always did what it took to show everyone they were loved even if she didn’t have the means. Wendy’s talks and visits with her grandchildren brought a light to her life. Wendy and her children overcame challenging times together and learned that family was meant to love from the depths our souls.
Wendy will be forever in her families’ hearts through their everlasting memories and through her love, from which she was the example.
All services will be held at East Lawn Palms Mortuary. A Visitation is being held on Sunday, September 3, from 2 - 3 PM, Funeral Service will begin at 3 and a Reception will follow in the Reception Room.
Arrangements under the direction of East Lawn Palms Mortuary, Tucson, AZ.
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