Wanda McHenry

January 22, 1938 - April 5, 2025

Wanda McHenry, age 87 was born in Alameda, California and a

resident of Modesto since 1963. Wanda passed away at El Rio

Memory Care in Modesto, California on April 5th surrounded by

the love of her family. Wanda graduated from Thomas Downey

High School in 1955, and was the first graduating class to attend

all four years. Shortly after high school, Wanda attended the

trade school of Western Airlines, Central Airline College in San

Francisco and worked as a Radio Operator (recording flights) at

San Francisco International Airport. When the Western Airlines

pilots went on strike, she went to work as a secretary with Pan

American Airlines. Wanda spent over 30 years working as an

Executive Secretary, both at Montgomery Wards, and ending her

career at Gallo Winery where she worked with the Engineering

Department. Wanda excelled at typing, short-hand, and loved

working with people, especially her engineers, who she said she

always had to "keep on track."

Wanda was an avid reader, and she loved being a part of her

educational sorority Phi Epsilon Phi and held many roles within

the organization. She loved watching football, especially her

son's high school and college football games. She also enjoyed

travelling, and visited Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, and also took a

road trip visiting different states of the Eastern Seaboard.

Wanda was devoted to her family and loved her children and

grandchildren, and loved spending time with them whether it was

going out to dinner, watching a movie, taking a drive, playing a

game or reading a story.

She is survived by her son, Doug Tackett and wife, Brenda of

Ripon, CA, her daughter, Shari Gauthier, and two grandchildren,

Nathan and Leah Gauthier all of Sacramento, CA. She is also

survived by her sister, Pat Gillum, and husband Frank of Modesto,

CA and her brother, Bill Spearing, and his wife Sue of

Gardnerville, NV. She is also survived by her loving dog, Buster,

whom she loved and cherished. She is preceded in death by her

mother, Helen Spearing and father, Chet Spearing.

Visitation will be from 12:30 -2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18th at

Franklin and Downs Funeral Home, McHenry Chapel, 1050

McHenry Avenue, Modesto, California 95350. Graveside service

will be at 3:00 p.m. immediately following the Visitation at Acacia

Memorial Park, 801 Scenic Drive, Modesto, California, 95350.

Donations can be made in Wanda's name to the Children's Crisis

Center of Stanislaus County