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Wendy Catherine Avison

June 25, 1969 ~ June 4, 2017

Wendy Catherine Avison

Our dear Wendy passed away June 4, 2017 in Whitehorse, YT, just before her 48th birthday.  She had fought brain cancer and lymphoma for six long years, always believing she could beat these diseases.

Wendy was born in Ottawa on June 25, 1969 to Dick Avison and Lois (Cleminson) Avison.  She is survived by her sisters Shannon Avison and Heather Avison (Roy Jantzen) and her sister-in-law Michele Avison.  She was pre-deceased by her only brother, Scott Avison, who died on June 22, 2015 from biliary duct cancer.

Wendy leaves her two children, Sonia, (16) and Adam (13), Radwanski, in the care of their father, Joseph Radwanski.

Wendy is also survived by her children’s older brothers, Russell and Christopher Radwanski, whom she raised, as well as a myriad of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.

Wendy’s life was full of joy and laughter in company with her family and so many dear friends from coast to coast.  She attended public schools in Ottawa, Whitehorse, Regina, and Halifax, and received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Sociology and Communications from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. While shaped by childhood moves, Wendy wanted to “raise my kids in my home neighbourhood”, so in 1993 she packed up her car and returned to Whitehorse, where she found employment in the tourism industry, and later as Publications Coordinator for Environment Yukon.

A Celebration of Life will be held on her birthday, June 25, 2017, at Mount McIntyre Recreational Centre, Grey Mountain Room, 1-4 pm. Program will begin at 2 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the British Columbia Cancer Agency/Brain Tumour Research.

Comments (4)
  • 11 June 2017

    My condolences to Wendy’s family. She and I were in the same grade in elementary school. I have so many fond memories of her from when we were children and later when she returned here. I bumped into her last year on a trail at Bennett during one of the WPYR train trips; my enduring memory of that conversation was the great pride she took in her children.

  • 23 June 2017

    I can’t express how much Wendy will be missed. We spend many a long night chatting while at Queens together and sharing our love of the outdoors. I will always think of her smile that brightened a room, her strength and her love for and dedication to her family. I hoped to join the celebration and am disappointed I won’t be able to join with you to celebrate her truly amazing life.

  • 20 September 2017

    I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Wendy on a flight to Whitehorse. We chatted at great length and did have dinner the next night. The next day she was backing up and heading for a family camping weekend excision.

    In the short time I knew her she was a ray of sunshine and eternal optimism.

    So sad to read of her passing

  • 14 May 2018

    I met Wendy in our brain cancer support group in Vancouver, B.C. many years ago. When Wendy walked into the room for the first time, she spotted me and sat down beside me. She noticed I was wearing a headband, and I noticed she was wearing a hat. Wendy went on to tell me she used to wear headbands, made by her sister and now she’s able to wear hats. She asked me if I would like all the headbands she no longer wore and I was happy to say ‘”yes, thank you”, true to her word, I received them in the mail soon after. Wendy flew down every 3 months for her MRI and she scheduled it for the same day as our support group, the first Wednesday of every month. I wrote this on my calendar so I wouldn’t miss these important days. I was honored to meet her mother, Lois and her father, Dick, who also sat in with the group. I was emailing with Wendy but hadn’t heard from her in a long time, so with holding my breath, I Googled her name, White Horse, Obituary and was heartbroken to see this obituary. Wendy was always smiling in our group, she offered hope, inspiration and courage to those who were just starting on their cancer journey. Wendy was beautiful person, who’s life purpose was fulfilled and she is now at peace. I will miss you so much my dear friend.

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