by Jan Walker
Over the years, our dear friend, Wendy Williams, touched the lives of thousands of people in the wide world of digital creativity.
Her depth of knowledge in all things Photoshop, Elements, and Macintosh was the touchstone that brought people of all ages and skill sets together, in countries around the globe.
When you were in Wendy’s World, there was an answer for your every question, delivered with patience, kindness, and genuine interest. She was a great teacher who really cared about the outcome when she offered her expertise and advice.
Who can forget her signature parting comment each time she answered a question or solved someone’s dilemma: “Do let us know how you go on!” That’s one of the things I’ll miss most.
One word comes to mind when I think of Wendy. Grace. She was a gracious person in every sense of the word. From her willingness to help, to her wise counsel and quiet strength. Wendy Williams was a woman who exemplified grace. Even until the end.
Over the past few weeks, I had been thinking about her a lot. Thinking about all the things she taught me… taught all of us. And I wondered, if she could teach us one last, important lesson, what would that be? And then I realized, it’s the lesson she’s been teaching us all along. Grace.
Our hearts go out to Wendy’s husband Michael, her sweet granddaughter Ruby, and her entire family. Thank you for sharing your treasure with us. She was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed.
Let’s celebrate the wonderful woman who was instrumental in making the Digital Scrapper community – and many others – so special. If you have a special memory of Wendy, a story about how she helped you, something she said or did, or any words of comfort for her loved ones, share them here. We’ll send the link to this blog post to Wendy’s family.
23 Responses
Shirl
Wendy was that go-to person with exceptional knowledge who never made you feel inferior. You could feel her smile through her many notes of encouragement. Her family meant everything to her. The love she gave to her family was the same love that she shared with us. Jan, as you stated, her grace will always remain with us and give us positive enforcement. My prayers and love goes out to the family. We will all meet again.
Mary
I did not know Wendy. But I feel sad to read of her passing.
In a world contaminated with more and more impatient, rude, self-centered folks, it’s so wonderful to read of an Earth Angel such as Wendy.
Now she’s helping sooooo many people in Heaven learning new computer skills! Awesome!
I wish the best for her family and all of you who were touched by her generosity.
God bless, take care, Mary
Jill P
So sorry to hear of her passing she was a wonderful erson and touched alot of lives. She will be rememered always
Jill P
So sorry for her passing and she will be dearly missed. She touched alot of lives and will be remembered.
Evie F
I didn’t know Wendy, but I am so sorry to hear of her passing and my heart and prayers go out to her family. Many people have many memories of wendy. Keep those memories in your heart forever.
Anne Varano
I “met” Wendy back in the days of Elements 3. I feel like one of her Elements children. She helped me grow up and develop confidence. It seemed like she was always there for us with help and new ideas. Photoshop has lost a friend.
Therese Reece
I am very sad to hear of Wendy’s passing; she meant so much to so many of us that she will go on living in our hearts. I would say to her family how lucky they were to have such a special person in their family and to think when things seem black of the happier times they had together. You never get over the death of a loved one but you do learn to live with it. Our prayers are with you.
Nikki
Wendy was one of the first people I met when I joined Scrapper’s Guide. She was so helpful, encouraging and patient. Wendy was always there to answer any questions and I am forever grateful for the help she has given me. She was a wonderful teacher and will be sadly missed. My condolences to her family and friends.
Brenda J Fox (fox57)
So very sad to hear of Wendy’s passing. She was a lovely person and always had encouraging words for everyone. She was so very talented and always there to help with any problems. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. I just lost my Mother-in-law in June, then my Mother in August. It’s very tough! Wendy will be missed so much.
Esther Farnstrom
There are so many experienced people that help scrappers along the way, but Wendy was exceptionally free with her time and expertise.
In 2005, when I first seriously started using Elements, I read everything at the PET site and would try out the tutorials just to see if I could do them. I met with a problem in one by Wendy, and I really wanted to use it as a base for a album for my mother. It was then that I first posted a thread. Wendy was so gracious in helping me resolve the issue (I was using the wrong tool). I was truly thankful for her help. She was the one that encouraged me to use PhotoShop. I will miss her cheerful and encouraging posts and generous sharing of her talents.
My thoughts and prayers go out for Wendy’s family during this very difficult time.
Connieg
To many here and other sites, Wendy was our Super Woman, she was always to the rescue in our dire times of need. She never failed to amaze me, she seemed to know the answer to everything, and if she wasn’t sure, checked into it until she came up with the answer. She was kind hearted and genuinely cared! Wendy will be sorely missed by all of us here.
Sending my deep and heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends {{ HUGS }} RIP Wendy!!!
Maggie
When I started digital scrapbooking in 2006, Wendy was the person who helped me the most. She was so patient and kind. You would think you were her only pupil. Her encouragement was unending. I used everyone of her tutorials and have everyone of her scrapbook kits. She was truly a unique and beautiful lady.
She will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to her family. I will pray for peace and strength as they grieve and remember Wendy.
Andrea Graves
I did not know Wendy real well, but the bits and pieces I’ve heard about her from the Digital Scrapper Staff has always been amazing. She’s one of those talented, sweet, amazing people that we were lucky enough to have among us. I have looked up to her example. I was very sad to hear of her passing and I will keep her family in my thoughts and prayers.
We were truly blessed to have Wendy be so involved in our community here at Digital Scrapper and to give so much of herself to everyone she could. <3
Dorrie
I first encountered Wendy’s expertise at the PET website many years ago, and if it hadn’t been for her I probably would not have continued with Photoshop Elements. She also encourage me to try Photoshop, which I use most of the time now. Jan, you are right, there was always that special Grace about her, and I will surely miss her. Her Grace even extended to personal email. If you PM’d her, she never failed to answer. She was incredible. I have compiled two books of her many tutorials, and will treasure them always.
Mike, I know you don’t know me, but know that I am saddened by your loss, and send my condolences to you and your family. I hope you will share all these messages with Ruby as she grows older, so she will know how much her Grandma meant to so many people around the world.
Darrene Harrison
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Wendy personally. She must have been a wonderful person with such things said about her- a woman of Grace- wow- what a way to be remembered. Condolences to her family and loved ones.
Traci
Wendy touched my life in so many ways. I discovered her at PET many years ago and followed her wherever she went. Her patience and humour are legend and will be sorely missed. Her technical knowledge was superb, but it was her caring spirit that made the difference. She never hesitated to give help whenever needed; and I know she spent hours and hours giving that help to all. God bless Wendy as she takes the next step in the journey. God bless her family with happy memories of her.
digione
I have enjoyed being a part of this digital community that has brought so many so close with just a click of a button. Wendy was always there to lend a helping hand and words of encouragement on every level.
The time difference between us, many times made it possible to start off my day with Wendy’s log-ins of help and inspiration, being the first listed on that days forum readings. I always looked forward to that.
My heart goes out to Mike and his family during this time of transition. You and your family hold in your hearts such wonderful memories of love.
digione
Maria
So sorry to hear about Wendy’s passing. My condolences to her family.
When I just started out learning Photoshop Elements, she was the one who gave me the courage to continue by providing answers to my myriad of questions.
She will be missed by many.
MsKaty
Oh such lovely words for a lovely lady. Grace describes my touches from Wendy. In addition to the many times she helped me with PSE, she and I exchanged a few personal emails after I told her I had visited her country. When I saw her online helping so many I was sure she was very busy but she never gave you that feeling. She took time with each one who was in contact with her. My thoughts are with her family at this time.
Janet Hays
I have been wondering how Wendy was doing, and now I know and am so very sad about it. I know she is now in a better place and pain free. Personally, I will miss her input in the forums in so many ways for it was always so fun to read her comments and I learned from each comment.
I pray that her family finds solace from the many positive comments we all send to them. God will truly bless Wendy’s soul!
Laura Boetto
Oh dear Wendy, what a gracious and beautiful woman and I am so glad to have known her and to have worked with her for many years. Her patience and lovely attitude were a cornerstone to all of us learning photoshop elements. Her tutorials, easy to follow, are memories forever kept with us. Wendy, you are remembered as you will be forever, remembered as a dear, special, sweet lady. You are terribly missed.
with love, Laura
Fran
I am so sad to hear about Wendy! God Bless all of her Family and Friends.
Dimorr
I have looked back over my earlier LO’s I submitted to Digital Scrapper and can see that I have come a long way since then, but despite how ‘amateurish’ they looked, Wendy was always very positive and encouraging with her comments.
Digital Scrapper is a real community… one where we rejoice in each other’s successes and empathise in those times of hardships- and some of these have been shared through the many LO’s put in the gallery.
I am very sad to hear of Wendy’s passing and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to her family and pray they will find strength in each other and the many memories they have of Wendy.