Wendy LoRay Willahan's Obituary
Our beloved sister, aunt, and dear friend Wendy LoRay Willahan passed away peacefully early in the morning of February 17, 2024 from complications of cancer.
Wendy was born on April 30, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah to her loving parents Raymond and Lorraine Willahan. She had a lovely childhood growing up in Kearns, UT as the middle child of three.
Wendy attended Snow College, Southern Utah University and graduated from Utah Community College with a diploma in graphic arts. Wendy was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served a full-time mission in Phoenix Arizona.
Wendy had a gift to see beauty in the world and to create it. She was a very talented artist, a gift she shared with her father. Some of her favorite memories were going into nature and painting with her dad. She shared her talent with many students over the years as she spent her career teaching at the Salt Lake Community College and in the Salt Lake Community College Prison Program. She also worked as a freelance graphic designer for over thirty years. Her creative skills extended to the publication of a children’s book published in 2022 “Cindy Sue and Her Twenty-Two” where she wrote and illustrated a charming story inspired by a personal childhood memory.
Wendy had a genuine kindness and warmth where she made friends easily and left a lasting impression. She navigated many difficult seasons of health challenges with great faith and grace. She had a love of animals and had a great sense of humor, illustrated by a handsome pet parakeet who went by the name of “Harrison Ford.” She especially loved dogs and enjoyed many years with her beloved Shotzie and Izzie.
She is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Russell and Grace Lorraine Willahan. She is survived by her devoted brothers William Raymond (Pam) and Russell Phillip (Kathy), many loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Midvale 2nd Ward Chapel 97 W. 7500 S. Midvale, UT 84047. A visitation will precede the service from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Interment will be held at a later date at Redwood Memorial Estates. To view the service online: https://sites.google.com/view/midvalenorthvirtual
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