Janet Margaret (Wendy) Last

died peacefully at home in Ottawa, surrounded by her devoted family on 15 November 2010. She maintained her positive and cheerful outlook throughout her life, even after her diagnosis with ALS in September 2009. Her passing is mourned by many who have been touched by her kindness, warmth and generosity. She is survived by her husband John, children Rebecca, David, and Jonathan, grandchildren Christina, Peter and John, son-in-law Richard, daughters-in-law Desre and Dorothyanne. All loved her deeply; John dedicated his life and most of his books to her. She is greatly missed by her nieces and nephews in New Zealand and by good friends all over the world. Janet Wendy was born in 1925 in Christchurch, New Zealand, to Elsie and Walter Wendelken, the youngest of three children. She left New Zealand to work as a nurse in Britain in 1951, then in Australia where she met John Last in 1955. They were married in 1957, and lived in Adelaide Australia, London England, Sydney Australia, Burlington Vermont, and Edinburgh Scotland, before settling in Ottawa in 1969. Her lifetime of selfless altruism was recognized in 2003 with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. She was a volunteer with the Head-Start program, a docent at the Museum of Nature, a volunteer helping physically handicapped adults at the Jack Purcell Community Centre for over 25 years; she read books for the blind, and provided primary school classroom support to English as a Second Language and special needs programs, and performed countless other kind acts. She was a published author of poetry and short stories, an artist and avid gardener, and selflessly supported her children and husband for over 50 years. Janet Wendy donated her body to science. There will be a celebration of her life on 11 February 2011, in Ottawa. No flowers please, but donations to the ALS Society, Amnesty International or a worthy cause of your choice will be appreciated.