Obituary of Wendy Lynn Payne

Wendy Payne Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Wendy Lynn Payne, on March 6^th, 2025 in Quesnel, B.C.

Wendy was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on May 27, 1942 and spent most of her childhood in Burnaby and Vancouver, B.C. Once she graduated from high school, Wendy had a dream of becoming a missionary for the Anglican church, but instead spent her life caring for others, from children to seniors. In her early twenties, Wendy moved back to Prince Albert to work and met her future husband, Tony Payne, who had immigrated to Canada from England in 1958. They were married in Vancouver on July 4, 1963.

In the Spring of 1969, Wendy and Tony, and their two very small children, moved to the wilderness of northeastern B.C. to build a farm along Iron Creek in the Upper Halfway Valley near Fort St. John. Their third child was born there.

Beef cattle became their main focus of the farm. Along with raising her children, Wendy supported her family and the farm by working as a First Aid Attendant on oil rigs in northern B.C. Later she would become a Long-Term Care Aid working at the Peace Lutheran Care Home when it first opened in Fort St. John. She worked there until her retirement in 1997.

After 46 years of hard work and sacrifice, the farm was sold to the Weitzel family in 2014. Wendy and Tony retired to the Bouchie Lake area near Quesnel, B.C. Here they spent precious days with each other, had visits from family and friends, and enjoyed their lovely home and garden of roses and peonies.

Wendy is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Tony Payne, her three children, Marie Payne (Rob Timms), Cameron Payne, and Linda Gronlund, her grandchildren, Ashley Simmonds, Katie Timms (Riley Iwanciwski), Elizabeth Payne (Domanic Hafner), Gustav Timms, Bryce Gronlund (Jayden Ryga), and Jade Gronlund, her great-grandchild, Katherine Carrell, as well as her Aunt, Ruth Chase, Sister-in-law, Pam White, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wendy was predeceased by her father, Basil Molony, sister, Sheila Molony, mother, Betty Molony (nee Crawford), and son-in-law, Don Gronlund.

A memorial service will be held to honour Wendy Payne on Monday,  June 30, 2025 at 11 am at the Peace Lutheran Church, 9812 108 Ave., Fort St. John, B.C.

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