GEORGE & WENDY HEWITT

1950 - 2011 & 1955

George Edgar Ronald Hewitt and Wendy Elizabeth Alto were joined in marriage on April 11, 1992, in North Vancouver, B.C., and passed away together on September 16, 2011, at the Reno Air Races.

George, age 60, born December 3, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to George and Rose Hewitt, was a career pilot for Air Canada. He concluded his career as Captain of the Boeing 777, after more than 37 years of loyal service.

He was kind, warm-hearted, and delighted in the world around him. He was enthusiastic about including others in his passions and always rose to a challenge.

Wendy, age 56, born May 4, 1955, in Vancouver B.C., to William and Betty Alto, dedicated her life to others, working for a number of non-profit organizations including United Way, the Arthritis Foundation, Blue Skies for Children, the American Red Cross, and the Colorado River Women's Council.

She was a lover of life, a dedicated worker, a caring soul, and one of the world's absolute treasures.

George and Wendy moved from Vancouver, B.C., to Bellingham, Wash., in 1994. Life in Bellingham was filled with sailing, skiing, and travel. As retirement approached, they set their sights on warmer weather and adventures at their new home on an airpark in Arizona. They enjoyed flying, four-wheeling, RV trips, and swimming, but most of all cherished the time they spent with family and friends.

Together, George and Wendy lived adventurous, happy lives at full throttle. They cherished their children, family, and friends and were equally admired and loved beyond words.

They will be deeply missed and their absence will leave a void in the many lives they touched.

George and Wendy's surviving family include their four children: two sons, Griffin (Becky) Patrick, Richard Hewitt, and two daughters, Rhegan Patrick and Katherine (Rob) Hewitt; and granddaughters, Maddison Hewitt (Richard), and Sophia Rose (Katherine) Hewitt-Neil.

George is survived by his parents, George and Rose Hewitt; two sisters, Linda (Roy) Leslie, Sharon Touchette and June (Len) Hewitt; and brother, Wayne Hewitt.

Wendy is survived by her parents, Bill and Betty Alto; sister, Lyn (Jess) Donovan; and brother, Ron (Scotti) Alto.

A service and reception in remembrance of George and Wendy Hewitt will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Heritage Flight Museum in the Bellingham International Airport, 4165 Mitchell Way, Bellingham, Wash. 98226. You may view photos of George and Wendy and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bellingham Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross http://www.mtbredcross.org/ or Colorado River Women's Council, http://crwclub.org would be appreciated. The Cascade Warbirds are establishing a youth aviation scholarship in George and Wendy's name, http://www.cascadewarbirds.org/.