Wendy Lee Stephenson

Wendy Lee Stephenson died peacefully on the afternoon of July 5th 2025 after a long illness. She was just one month short of her 78th birthday. Wendy was born in Sidney, NY on August 22, 1947 to parents Robert W. Curran and Miriam Jackson Curran. Wendy spent her early years on the East Coast before moving with the family to Seattle, Washington at age 12. Wendy developed an early interest in nursing and worked as a Candy Striper while in high school. She attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon enrolling in a five-year nursing program run in conjunction with the University of Oregon Nursing School in Portland where she graduated with a BS in nursing. Wendy met her husband Jeff Stephenson at Linfield, became a cheerleader, and was named "Dream Girl" by Jeff's fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha. Still to this day her name remains on the bell in the fraternity house. Jeff enlisted as an officer in the Navy upon graduation and served upon a river boat in Mekong Delta of Vietnam while Wendy attended nursing school. They married upon his return on June 28, 1969. Wendy worked as a nurse throughout their marriage, first in private pediatric offices and later for the Cherry Creek School District overseeing the school nurse program in several schools, including programs for special needs children. Wendy’s kindness, patience, and passion for helping others was what made her such a wonderful nurse. Wendy was a talented artist with a knack for making whimsical drawings that seemed to perfectly capture a moment. Many friends and family would ask her to make their holiday, wedding or baby shower cards. In her spare time, Wendy was part of a book club that lasted over 30 years, was a volunteer helping children suffering from domestic violence, and an avid skier and hiker. She loved the mountains. But, most of all, Wendy was a tremendous friend to so many, young and old, that came to rely upon her and treasure the positive impact she had on their lives. Everyone knew that Wendy was special, and that being with her was a gift. Wendy was preceded in death two years earlier by her husband Jeff Stephenson. She is survived by her children Ashley and Eric McCann and Rob and Aisha Stephenson and her four grandchildren: Hunter and Macklin McCann, and Marley and Reece Stephenson.