Obituary of Wendy Jean Nailer
WENDY JEAN NAILER
Wendy Jean Nailer, 70, of Toronto, Ontario, died peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of Friday, November, 2, 2018 at the Palliative Care Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She was born to the late Harold Cochrane and Margaret Jean Cochrane on March 16, 1948 in Toronto. Dear wife of Keith, beloved mother of Matthew (Lismar) and Patrick (Caitlin), grandmother to Henry and Claire and cherished sister to Lorne.
A passionate champion for social justice throughout her life, Wendy was active both professionally and personally in advocating for improving the lives of individuals with mental health illness and disabilities. Wendy worked for years as Program Director in the Work Adjustment and Employment Support Services Program and as manager of Homes for Special Care Teams at CAMH in Toronto. She served as a founding member of the Ontario Federation of Mental Health and Addiction Programs, was appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Health to the East York Board of Health, and helped for many years with the Toronto and East York CCAC. She chaired numerous boards and committees both professionally and as a volunteer and received recognition at the national level for her achievements. A lifelong learner with a curious mind, Wendy received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from York University and a Masters Degree in Adult Education from the University of Toronto and was an instructor for several years at George Brown College in the Career and Work Counseling Program.
Wendy’s joy was her family, especially her sons and grandchildren, to whom she was devoted. Their professional and personal travels and accomplishments brought her immeasurable pride and happiness. An avid reader, Wendy enjoyed biographies and always had a wonderful book suggestion. She also loved spending the day in the garden, trying new recipes or sharing a cup of tea with family and friends. As Wendy shared in her last message to loved ones, “positive family has been more valuable than a million dollars plus. The beauty of true friendship, it never ceases and is there when you need it.” Her positive spirit, caring and thoughtful heart, compassionate ear and loving nature will be remembered by all of those who cared so deeply for her. We will miss her.
We would like to thank the staff at the Palliative Care Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for all of the compassion and care they gave to Wendy those last few weeks. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Breakfast Club of Canada (www.breakfastclubcanada.org) to provide healthy meals for Canadian children.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9th. A funeral service will take place in the chapel on Saturday, November 10th at 1:00 p.m. with a reception in the Rosedale following the service. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.
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