Wendy Ellen Penston

Wendy passed away at the age of sixty-seven years old on April 20th, 2025, just shy of her sixty-eighth birthday. Wendy passed just shortly after 3:00pm at Royal University Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Wendy had been battling breast cancer for over nine years and to the very end she kept on fighting for more time with her loved ones. Her belief was that cancer was a lot like diabetes and that you just have to maintain it. Even in discomfort or pain she always had optimism. There was always a silver lining for Wendy, no matter what life threw at her.

Wendy was heavily involved with charity work for over a decade of her life. Whether it be dressing up for local charities sponsored by Safeway or her place in Street Cat Rescue, she was always willing to help those in need. Her time in the Street Cat Rescue program she helped by fostering cats/kittens for periods of time, organized Christmas home tours as a big charity event, and even went on to help organize the concession for the first couple years of Pets in the Park event. She retired from charity work after receiving her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2016.

From the age of sixteen Wendy started her career with Safeway grocery. She met the most amazing people working here and kept them as treasured friends throughout her life. Even if she did not reach out in the last couple years, they were near and dear to her heart. Before her early retirement due to knee complications Wendy had worked with the company an impressive 39 years. If not for her knee complications, there are no doubts she would have gone on to surpass 50 years or more. She especially loved the location of the Market Mall Safeway (no longer a Safeway). The customers became a second family to her there and often she would have coffee with many of them in the food court.

Some of Wendy’s favourite things included jigsaw puzzles, word searches, lottery scratchers, watching her tv shows, and board games. No matter the game she was always ready to try or watch, just enjoying being included in the fun was enough for her. Her favourite tv shows she would cycle through and rewatch to enjoy them repeatedly, shows like Grey’s Anatomy, any and all cooking shows, and The Voice. Her absolute favourite food and very frequently requested was always Chinese food (Great Buffet of China). You could always guarantee if there was a night where no one knew what to make for supper, Wendy would be around the corner listening, and this was the loudest suggestion.

She was an inspiration of kindness and tenacity to all. No matter who she met or how briefly she connected with someone, Wendy made a positive impact. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend. No amount of words will ever convey the kindness, love, and generosity Wendy gave to the world.

Wendy leaves behind to celebrate her memory two daughters (Courtney and Trilby Penston), two grandchildren (Autumn Chomyshen and Bentley Kruger), father of her children (Thomas James Butler Penston), two sons-in-law (Josh Chomyshen and Ozzy Beaven), and her four grand-fur babies (Luna, Beau, Buffy, and Jynxie).

Many thanks to the nursing staff at Royal University Hospital for taking such good care of our loved one. In lieu of flowers please send donations to either the Street Cat Rescue Program or the S.P.C.A. A celebration of her life will take place Saturday May 10th, 2025, at 1:00pm. The location of the celebration will take place in her family home and should you wish to participate please contact the following e-mail penstonfarewells@gmail.com.

Cherished Memories is honoured to have been entrusted with Wendy's care and arrangements.