Wenda (Wendy) Carolyn Finan (née McArthur)

My best friend from the time we were 11. Wendy dragged me up to the top floor of the Police Court in Fort William because she didn’t want to take the bus alone to attend bagpipe lessons. Thus began our love of piping which continued to this day.
RIP our dear friend. I hope you are still piping in heaven and driving Mr. Smith crazy!

With a heavy heart we in the RCMP Pipes, Drums & Dancers, receive this news. She was a wonderful member of our band family, and while she’d been retired from our band for some time, she always remained our sibling in our hearts. She’ll be so fondly remembered and we offer our deepest condolences to all her family and loved ones.

A beautiful photo of a beautiful person. We piped together many years in ACPD. For the past four years we met every second week on FaceTime where I played a mini piping concert for her and we chatted. Often my wife, Freda joined our conversations. We were both amazed at her extensive knowledge of Celtic culture. We will miss you, Wendy.

Wendy was a terrific friend and piper, and she was so well regarded in the pipe band community. She so kindly went along with our ‘I almost forgot it was your birthday’ that got her a drink and a hug everytime – and it was so fun to do. She will be missed, and she will always be our dear Wenda.

As a neighbour and avid gardener Wendy and I had many an occasion to discuss gardens, bubbling rocks, Hostas and we tried, mostly unsuccessfully, to grow Morning Glories. Her white and purple garden was her great love in later years, and she spent many hours working on perfecting and enhancing her garden. I first met Wendy about 30 years ago, and she was our near neighbour for the entirety of our life in this marvellous neighbourhood. She will be missed by her closest neighbours and the stray cats she loved to feed over the years. Rest in all peace dear friend and garden advisor. Warmly, Erica

My beautiful friend and student
Today in France I quietly celebrated your life thinking of your beautiful garden the rose tree you gave me I am now watching.
Many glasses of champagne harp and your bagpipes!
Your harp is singing and we shall see each others in music Heaven!
Love .

Wendy was a warm, kind and generous soul. I enjoyed getting to know Wendy in piping circles over the years and admired her strong commitment and contributions to the bands she played with. Wendy will be deeply missed and I send my heartfelt condolences to her loved ones at this difficult time of loss.

This is very sad news to receive. The photo above is beautiful and captures her personality and love of music perfectly. Wendy was a valued friend for close to 40 years spanning our time together in the Ogilvie and Air Force pipe bands and time between and after. Tea and quiet chats with her in the porch with Rosie about piping, pipe bands and our shared love of gardening are cherished memories. Wendy will be greatly missed.

Very sad to hear this news. Wendy was a valued colleague at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Always warm and helpful, she continued keeping fellow co-workers in touch through activities she organized in retirement. She will be missed by all of them.

My heart goes out to Wendy’s family and friends. She was a strong woman who affected me greatly. Met Wendy as a professor of Horticulture, where she wouldn’t let me tell her that growing a garden under a spruce was a lifelong battle. We designed her lovely garden together all those years ago, and are friends since. I always felt so special being treated to a visit with Wendy – though I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. We would spend hours gardening and she proved me wrong every time, with her beautiful shade garden under the spruce. Wendy took care of her friends just like that garden. A life well loved 💓

Such sad news. I knew Wendy through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and also as a fellow gardener and resident of old Ottawa East. Wendy’s lovely home through the stone gates and mine on the other side of Main on Mutchmor Road. Wendy was a kind, gentle soul. Sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

What sad news. Wendy was a wonderful friend and neighbour to Lesley, our mother and mother in law, who lived next door. They had a very close relationship. Wendy’s exceptional kindness and caring was invaluable to Lesley who depended on her judgement and felt more secure having her nearby. We the family, living out of town, appreciated Wendy’s insights and alerts. Lesley enjoyed Wendy’s garden and we always enjoyed the garden tours. Thank you Wendy.

My condolences, Anne, at the loss of your sister. May she rest in peace.

So sorry to hear about Wendy’s passing. We played together in the Ogilvie Pipe Band. Great time; great memories. 💕

I met Wendy when I joined the Ogilvie Pipe Band in 1989 and we have remained friends and band members for many years.
Wendy and I met for lunches and teas many times over the years AND roomed together on many band trips (poor Wendy)
More than anything, I loved our phone conversations.
We talked about everything. She would give suggestions and I may or may not follow through, but she always gave me good advice.
I really miss our conversations, and your advice (that I may or may not follow through)

Love you!
Mary

Today we will celebrate Wendy. She was a dear friend for many years. We enjoyed afternoon teas in the winter and garden side chats in the summer. During those chats we passionately resolved many public policy issues — federal, provincial and municipal! We miss her dearly and think of her often when we stop to enjoy her garden. xox

McArthur Cousins: Living in the country, on the farm, we were so excited to have our city cousin visit. So many memories of her music on the hills at Annan. Simply beautiful. May she rest in peace. From: Leone, Ruth, Robert, Lois, Jane, Ted, Billy and Keith.