Wendy Jane Phillips
December 14, 1949 – January 3, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wendy Jane Phillips. She passed away peacefully on January 3, 2019 at the Dryden Regional Hospital, after a long, brave battle with cancer.
Wendy will be deeply missed by her loving and devoted husband of 47 years, Dallas Phillips, son Ben, his partner Sarah Lancaster and their children Kenzie and Gage, of Dryden, son Adrian of London, ON, and daughter Megan Walchuk, her husband Michael and their children John, Joan, David, Thomas, Robert, Peter, and Jack, of Fort Frances. She is also missed by her mother, Anne Hart of Victoria, BC, and siblings Gordon Hart (Shelley), Glen Ellen Miller (David), Norman Hart (Joanne), and numerous nieces and nephews. Wendy is predeceased by her father, Glen Hart, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Wendy was born Dec 14, 1949, in Melville, Saskatchewan, the third of Glen and Anne Hart’s four children. From her birthplace, her family moved to Victoria, BC, where she attended Claremont High School. She pursued bachelor studies at the University of Victoria, with the dream of being a music teacher. Although she loved music her entire life, and like her idol Julie Andrews, was known to regularly break into song, it never did become a career. After working a variety of jobs in Toronto, she returned home to Victoria, where her sister and brother in law introduced her to Dallas Phillips, thinking that putting two painfully shy people together might just work. Because Dallas was working in a remote camp, he and Wendy courted almost entirely through letters. He proposed through mail, and the two married on March 17, 1971.
Despite their shy facade, the newlyweds shared a love of bold adventure, which made them ideal partners in life and business. Although virtual strangers on their wedding day, they began their marriage with a seven month world tour, eventually settling in New Zealand. For the next six years, they worked together in the sheepskin industry, manufacturing coats, slippers and mittens – and their three children.
After their return to Canada in 1977, the pair opened several businesses in Victoria and Winnipeg, eventually moving to Dryden in 1985, when they were recruited by Egli’s Sheep Farm. But both Wendy and Dallas had strong entrepreneurial spirits. In 1994 they created a new venture for themselves, Boffo Bag Co. With Wendy’s designs and Dallas’ manufacturing experience, they were the perfect team. The business expanded a few years later into Boffo Home and Cottage, where Wendy was able to realize a long-time dream of owning a bed and bath store.
Wendy had a great eye for design, and loved filling her world with beauty. She left everything she touched better than she found it. Wendy was a planner and a doer and approached all of the trials in her life with bold optimism. No challenge stood a chance against her brainstorming sessions; an evening around the table with her notepad, Dallas and a bottle of wine, and an action plan would be born. Never content to sit still or leave others to do the heavy lifting, she always saw her dreams through to the end. She thoroughly enjoyed city beautification work, including her contribution to the creation of Earl’s Court and a downtown association. She happily worked alongside other business owners and the city to update banners, lamp posts, railings and signage throughout town.
Her family is left better for knowing her, too. In her children, she instilled a love of music, art and writing. She encouraged all of them to develop their unique talents, and was openly proud of their accomplishments. Her grandchildren were a particular source of joy for Wendy. They knew her as warm and loving, always happy to cuddle with a book and bring them special treats from her store. In Dallas, she found her soul mate and best friend, each supportive of the others’ dreams. Together, the family is greater than the sum of its parts, because of Wendy’s love and tireless devotion.
The family would like to thank the nursing and medical staff at Dryden Regional Hospital, for their support and compassion during Wendy’s final days.
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