Wendy Patricia Malainey

We are heartbroken to announce that Wendy Patricia (McCormack) Malainey took her last breath on November 7, 2025, in Parksville, BC. Fiercely independent, she maintained her autonomy throughout her last difficult year.

Wendy was born in Edmonton, AB in 1944. Growing up with working parents, four brothers and a sister, she took on responsibility at a young age and maintained that sense of responsibility for family throughout her life. She started her professional life in her mid-teens to help support her family, working in the office of a local real estate business. When Wendy met and married Bill, she joined the community of military families that led to a varied career of roles in accounting and office administration before joining the Government of Canada Immigration department. There she gained several qualifications, including as a Peace Officer and an instructor; she particularly enjoyed the training course she attended at the RCMP training centre in Regina. She was recognized for her work during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and for multiple years of support for United Way campaigns. Following retirement as a Senior Immigration Officer, health issues challenged her, but she always kept busy with projects that included overseeing the building and care of her forever home and managing a family member’s property. Her expertise in tax accounting was also in high demand.

Wendy had a sharp mind, a strong and determined spirit, and a caring soul. She valued kindness, honesty, loyalty and privacy, and loved and would do anything for those around her who shared these qualities. She often enjoyed planning and hosting social gatherings of friends and colleagues; at Christmas time she would supply Santa (AKA Bill) with small gifts for visitors and neighbours. During more recent years, Wendy treasured the smaller gatherings of family and close friends.

Those who knew Wendy later in life would not have known that she was a cheerleader, a tap dancer and a decorated baton twirler in her youth. Among her many achievements, she won the 1960 Edmonton Twirlers Championship (Senior division) and gained her teaching certificate by the age of 16. Before marrying, she taught and participated with several groups like the Edmonton Lions Club and established her own school called McCormack’s Majorettes. Wendy continued teaching at military bases, creating groups like the Moose Jaw Strutters and teaching courses with established bands and through Military Family Support programs. She provided skills training, designed choreography, planned shows and arranged for her students to participate in competitions, parades and other community events. Her daughters were among her grateful students and hold many fond memories of these activities.

Wendy’s love of cocker spaniels developed early and endured throughout her life; each one of her four-legged family members brought her much joy and amusement, even when they stole her lipstick and tissues. She shared this joy by visiting seniors’ care homes as a Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS) Pet Therapy Team. We are comforted by the thought that her spirit has been reunited with those of Blackie, Dandy, Buddy, Tiffy, Albion, Pepper and her devoted shadow, Lainey.

Through her life, Wendy was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, “Nanny”, aunt and friend. She will be profoundly missed by her loving husband Bill, heartbroken daughters Dawn and Janice, grandchildren Bailey and Jacob, dear brother Ron, many extended family members in BC and Alberta, and cherished friends near and far. She would want us to extend her gratitude to the community of individuals and professionals whose friendship, kindness and support contributed to her resilience and independence – we add our heartfelt thanks as well.

The family has said a private farewell and will fulfill Wendy’s desire for a celebratory (non-traditional) wake on her birthday in February. If so desired, donations may be made in her honour to the BC SPCA, BC Cancer Society or the Royal Canadian Legion.

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DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you. For an interval. Somewhere. Very near. Just around the corner.

All is well.

- Henry Scott Holland -