Wendy Elsebeth (Walls) Duff

The family of Wendy Elsbeth Duff (nee Walls) is saddened to announce her passing on May 2, 2024 at the age of 75. While we are left to mourn on earth, we rejoice that she is now at home with her Lord and Saviour. Wendy was predeceased by her husband Chris Duff, and parents Doug and Doreen Walls, as well as her brother Thom. She is survived by her children: Terry Staben, Janet (Anthony) Tuininga, and Beth (John) Janssen. Also by her grandchildren: Alex, Emily, Braxton (Felicity), Joel (Courtney), Sarah, Neil (Naomie, and children Sébastien and Sophie), Cecil (Alexa), Isabelle, Adam, Jeane, Arianna, and Liam. She is also survived by her siblings Lois (late Bob) Gordon, Terry (Delores) Walls, Sandra (Jim) Harvey, Matt (Vivien) Walls, Pete (Joanne) Walls, Rob (Kim) Walls, and Chuck (Shari) Walls.

 
Wendy was born on February 28, 1949 in Red Deer, Alberta. Her childhood years were spent in Red Deer and Innisfail, and also near Bowden, as her family lived on the grounds of the Bowden Institution where her father worked. After graduating high school, Wendy worked in Red Deer until her marriage to Henry Staben, of Caroline. Wendy and Henry had three children- Terry, Janet and Beth – and lived on a farm outside of Caroline. Wendy loved country life and enjoyed the animals of the farm. She shared that love of nature and animals with her kids. When their marriage ended, Wendy and the kids moved into Innisfail.

On June 30, 1983, Wendy married Chris Duff, and they built a home outside of Innisfail. Happy years were spent as they raised animals, gardened and watched their kids grow. Wendy also returned to university and became a school teacher, an occupation that she loved with all her heart. It gave her great joy to share knowledge and to help shape the minds of young people. She also loved sewing and knitting, and spent many hours dragging her family through fabric stores. It was a common sight for Wendy and her mom to take over the dining room with sewing machines, sergers, bobbins, pins and scissors. And woe betide those who used the sewing scissors to cut paper.

As their children grew into teens, Wendy and Chris dreamed of their retirement, and bought a property on Vancouver Island. They moved to the Island in 1999, and so began their dream home. They built a house with an ocean view,  a greenhouse for Chris, a sewing room for Wendy, and a pool for the grandkids. They made a huge garden, with 17 fruit trees, vegetables and flowers, and they loved watching as their grandchildren all came to know their home as the best vacation spot ever!

 
In 2016 Wendy and Chris decided it was time to return to Alberta to be closer to their kids, and later that year Wendy was devastated as Chris’ battle with cancer ended. Wendy’s remaining years were difficult ones – with several moves and the onset of dementia as well as many health troubles. Through it all she retained her perseverance, her wonderful sense of humour, and most of all her love for God. Her last home was St. Michael's Long Term Care Centre in Edmonton, where she received excellent care until her passing.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Lacombe Fairview Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Free Reformed Church (4707 Broadway Ave, Blackfalds).

The Livestream of the Service can be found at: https://sermonaudio.com/solo/cornerstonefreeref/

Memorial Donations in honour of Wendy may be directed to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta at https://admin.alzheimer.ca/ab/en or St. Michael's Extended Care Centre Society https://smhg.ca/donate/

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