Wendy Arlene Willekens-Justus

Wendy was born on May 10, 1965 in Phoenix St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her parents have kept a home in Tempe and in the Scottsdale School district for over 56 years. Wendy, her brother Mike and sister Tammy grew up in that home. Wendy attended and graduated from Supai Elementary and Scottsdale High Schools. Wendy was in Special Education throughout elementary and high school. She was a cheerleader for Pop Warner Football for three years. She was on the Scottsdale Swim Team located at Eldorado Park Pool and played on the Girls Scottsdale Fast Pitch Softball Team. Wendy was a Bluebird and participated in a wonderful Christmas Celebration at the St. John’s Indian School on the Gila Reservation.

Wendy learned to play the Mountain Dulcimer when she was a teenager and has always loved music. She had been an avid roller-skater and ice- skater. She always had great rhythm and balance! Wendy was a wonderful dancer and gave lessons to many folks, thru out the years. Wendy more recently took up the Tambourine and entertained all, playing with Country Western bands, Rock & Roll and even with Heavy Metal groups. Wendy loved all types of music.

Motherhood

Wendy had two wonderful children. Savanna who married David and who now have a beautiful 2yr old, baby girl named Elizabeth Faye. Wendy raised Savanna on her own, after a very harsh and unsupportive marriage, returning to her family home, 5 months pregnant. Wendy’s father Bill, went with her to her Lamaze classes as her Coach and was the first to hold baby Savanna. Quite a man, father and grandfather! Wendy and little Savanna were inseparable, spending many weekend hours at Rawhide in Scottsdale. Savanna attended a Montessori Pre-School, while Wendy worked at Motorola. Wendy was a very loving and caring mother and the proudest grand-mother of her little singing and dancing Elizabeth!

Wendy & Elizabeth at the Zoo – Enjoying the Water Park on Wendy’s Scooter

May 2021

Wendy’s son Edward attended Sandra Day O’Connor High School. He was in JR ROTC, selling the most candy bars in the history of ROTC in that school. Edward was chosen Homecoming Prince sophomore. He attended Mesa Community College and was the Mesa Community College Thunderbird Mascot for seven years. 2020 Edward got a certification in the many aspects of Energy healing. He too is a caregiver for special needs adults. His clients Gina and her brother Allan, were good friends of Wendy and miss her weekly visits. Wendy had a deep love for her children and friends. She always supported and helped them in so many ways.

Beginning a New Life

Wendy left a severely abusive 2nd marriage in 2010. Her life had been turned upside down for many years by a very intimidating, calculating and controlling husband. The family life at home was unbearable, Wendy and Savanna were constantly harassed and belittled. Their home was unhealthy and abusive. Wendy and her children, Savanna & Edward, were finally able to escape this tragic household and began their lives anew.

Caregiver Vocation

Wendy made her way in this world caring for her children and others. She worked as a caregiver for over 20 years, taking care of handicapped and developmental disabled adults. Wendy worked in a Group Home, individual homes and recently worked in and supervised a Group Home. Working in individual homes, Wendy many times had cared for difficult cases, children and adults who needed extra special care.

Wendy cared for a special young man with severe seizures, taking him many times to visit a horse who was standing in a far-off pasture. Overtime the horse would walk over to greet them each time they arrived. These were such simple, wonderful, enjoyable and most anticipated visits for the young man. Wendy cared for him for nearly 9 years. They enjoyed many beautiful sunsets together at the pasture.

Wendy has taught beading to many of her clients, teaching them how to string the beads overcoming restrictions in theirs hands and movement. Several of these folks over the years became quite the craftsmen. Wendy encouraged them to use their own artistic qualities. Some of their goods were even sold in a local shop, giving them a little unexpected income. Wendy paid for all of the supplies and tools over the years.

Wendy purchased electronic educational toys for a severely handicapped young girl whom others had given up on. Wendy was told that she never responds or interacts and cannot eat on her own. Over time Wendy was successful in teaching her to use the musical keyboard and to hold a spoon to eat! The young girl loved children’s TV shows and would loudly call out over and over again. Wendy was never agitated with the noise and enjoyed the girl’s happiness. Other would turn off the TV for quiet.

Wendy enjoyed taking her clients to special events. It was not uncommon to see her bring folks to a Tempe Fall Celebration called Picnic in the Park, Pie Eating Contests, Music in the Park events, and Beading with Children in the Park. One of her young clients was so surprised and really enjoyed playing his air guitar with the “Rex Renolds”, Rock Band in the Park! Wendy made this possible!

There are too many stories to tell. However, I will reflect on just two more:

2005 Wendy saved a co-worker’s life when she had a heart attack and stroke at work. Wendy called 911, performed CPR until the paramedics arrived and was even able to keep calm the several clients in the home. This wonderful story, recounted by her Manager, gained Wendy Special Recognition.

2019 During a very hot summer, the air conditioner quit in the Group Home where Wendy worked and supervised. The part to repair the unit had to be ordered leaving them no cooling for several days. Wendy moved her clients into a hotel and paid several hundred dollars herself, for the extended hotel days needed to get the part. Wendy kept them safe and cool in the hotel. You might recall when it was mentioned on the news that a handicapped person in another Group Home died because of the extreme heat and no cooling. That incident occurred just a few weeks later. Wendy was a most caring and responsible person.

Wendy had many friends in the Valley’s Music Clubs.

Whether it was Rock & Roll, County Western, Heavy Metal or others. Wendy was known throughout

many of these Sports Bars and Music Clubs. Wendy was known as “Westside Wendy” at Filly’s Roadhouse in Apache Junction. She was named “Banging Tambourine Chic” at O’Kelley’s. Wendy loved Music and all of the wonderful friends that she had made through music! Wendy did not smoke or drink but loved music. Before the COVID Pandemic in 2020, Wendy was going to Karaoke almost every evening, especially on the days she received Chemo-Therapy. The following days after her treatments were the most difficult for her. Wendy usually returned to work two days after each Chemo treatment. Because of increasing bone pain and her great difficulty walking, Wendy finally had to quit working and retire on Jan 2, 2020.

Having no retirement benefits for many years working as a Caregiver, Wendy applied for Disability through Social Security. Ironwood Cancer Center -Wendy’s Diagnosis and Treatment

March 2017 - Breast Cancer Diagnosed Regiment of Chemo-Therapy Treatments and then Radiation

Double Mastectomy Surgery & Reconstructive Surgery Hospitalization for Severe Infection from a Fishing Excursion Removal of Implant- Another Reconstructive Surgery Declared Cancer Free 2018

2019 July Increasing Bone Pain - Biopsy Needed

August - Diagnosed Stage 4 Bone/Breast Cancer which has Metastasized into her bones.

Began and continued with Weekly or Bi-Weekly Chemo-Therapy and 2 weeks of Daily Radiation.

2020 Overtime: On-going Chemo-Therapy /Rescreening. No more Radiation-too painful and making her ill. Increasing Edema especially in legs and torso. Pain Increasing! Outcome in question.

2021 Transferred to MD Anderson Cancer Center Treatment Modified / Chemo Pills / Injections / Infusion

Consulted Banner Institute Cardiology and Pulmonology June Hospitalized 3 weeks at Banner University

July & Aug. Hospitalized 3 weeks at Banner Gateway Implanted Plurex Lung Drain / Paracentesis / Received Physical Therapy.

September 2021 - Wendy had Improved.

Always Optimistic! Never Depressed! She was a Great Role Model for all of us!

Her Sister Tammy had been a big help since Wendy’s recent hospitalizations, both Medically and with lots of laughter too!

Wendy ready for the:

“Give Cancer the Boot”

Fashion Show & Fundraiser

October 3, 2021 Wendy had pledged to help raise at least $2,000 to help fund Cancer Treatments

for those who need help, or for paying Deductibles and other necessities.

Thanks to her many generous contributors, Wendy raised over $4,500.

Wendy modelled three different outfits and to the delight of the other models and Fashion Show guests, she rode her scooter while modelling, when it was her turn. Her entire family were all so very proud of her.

Wendy was presented with a Courage Under Cancer Foundation, crystal boot award.

Soon after another hospitalization; on October 21st, Wendy passed away at home surrounded by her family. Wendy had been silent and unresponsive all that morning in the hospital. We were so very thankful to Hospice of the Valley for all of their help! They quickly delivered a hospital bed to her bedroom. Hospice of the Valley quickly arranged for an urgent transportation home. Wendy’s sister Tammy quickly made up the hospital bed, also making sure everything was ready for Wendy. Her mother Darlene rode in the Transport with her, holding her hand, praying that she would make it home, all the while softly playing the youtube “Fight Song” on her phone. Wendy’s father Bill waited oh so anxiously with her children, hoping and praying to see her at home. So many times her Dad had helped load and unload her beloved scooter into the SUV so we could get her to her many medical appointments.

Once the transport arrived and Wendy was taken inside her home surrounded by her ifamily , she awoke and spoke, “I’m Home!” For the next hour, Wendy talked to everyone, even laughing. She recognized all and even gave her tambourine a joyful shake, making her father Bill and everyone very happy. Wendy being the ever present and always loving mother, sweetly told her siblings Savanna & Edward “don’t fight” followed quickly by “I love you”!!! Other family members were also able to say their goodbyes. Things became silent again. Wendy held her own overnight, passing away peacefully in the morning while listening to the wonderful song “Amazing Grace”. A fitting ending for someone so very special and who graced all who knew her!

Written and Updated by Mom, Darlene Justus 11/04/2021