Wendy Payne
AGE: 70 • Middletown
Wendy Payne, 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Middletown on November 20, 2016. Wendy spent most of her life in Montgomery, NJ raising her family and teaching in the Edison school district for 30 years. She had recently moved to Middletown to be near family and was thriving in her reconnection with tennis, the arts, traveling, meeting new friends and teaching her grandchildren at every opportunity.
Wendy was an avid student, receiving her Bachelors from Skidmore and Masters from Rutgers in early childhood education. She applied her education into a passion for teaching, touching both her public school students and more profoundly her own children. She brought an energy and creativity to her work, recognizing each child as an individual and challenging herself to bring out their best. Many of her students went on to accomplish great things and shared with her how appreciative they were of Wendy's early inspiration.
Wendy had an enormous heart and generosity that reached well beyond her awareness. She had a quiet strength and independent spirit that inspired those who spent time with her. Wendy's sense of humor could surprise and delight as she was well versed on the latest in sports, politics, literature and current affairs. Beyond all, she was a devoted mother and adoring grandmother. She lived her life to create opportunities for her family. And she was particularly blessed in the last decade to see her family grow and savored the opportunity to share a lifetime of learning and newfound laughter with her grandchildren.
Wendy is survived by her son Drew Payne, his wife Mary Elizabeth, their sons Lachlan and Ronan, her daughter Heather Gorman, Heather's husband Ed, and their children Karina, Teddy, Delilah and Charlie, and her uncle Mario D'Angelo.
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, November 26th, 11:30 am at St Anthony's in Red Bank. Memorial gifts may be made to: St Jude Children's Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. The Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank is entrusted with the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Thompson Memorial Home - Red Bank.
Wendy you worked diligently to create a wonderful family. You showed Drew and Heather kindness, courage, thoughtfulness and great love. They both beautifully manifest these qualities. You will be remembered and greatly missed.
The Konecke Family
November 30, 2016
Love
November 27, 2016
This picture was from just one of the fun days we spent together with Wendy this summer.
She was a special friend and will be greatly missed every day..
Love, The Albainy family.
Allison Albainy
November 25, 2016
Allison Albainy
November 25, 2016
We had the good fortune to have Wendy as a Shadow Lake neighbor and we will miss her smile and kind words. She has gone much too soon.
Nanette Knaster
November 25, 2016
Nanette Knaster
November 25, 2016
We will miss Wendy greatly. She entered our lives several years ago and has become a true friend. We always enjoyed the times we shared with her. She was loving and kind with a generous spirit. Her emphasis was always on others.
Sandy & Ed Gorman
November 25, 2016
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