Wendy Hurst
Arrangements for the funeral of Wendy Hurst
Thursday 2nd March 2017, 11.30am
Westall Park Natural Burial Ground
Family and friends are gathering at Westall Park near Redditch to acknowledge Wendy’s death, and to celebrate her life.
All are invited back afterwards to Stirchley Baths from 1.30pm onwards for refreshments and to share stories and memories of Wendy.
Wendy’s family and friends welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about her so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage.
Please share this link with anyone you feel may wish to know about Wendy’s funeral.
Westall Park is one of the UK’s finest natural burial grounds and aims to create a place which those who wish to remember their loved ones will want to visit, not out of a sense of duty, but from the pleasure and peace of mind it can evoke. Westall Park has created an eco-friendly cemetery as a place for quiet reflection in an informal setting amongst trees, wild flowers and wildlife. Eventually it will become a woodland glade, full of nature where all wildlife is encouraged to thrive.
Address: Holberrow Green, Nr Redditch, Worcestershire, B96 6JY
A map can be found by clicking this link.
All are welcome after the service Stirchley Baths from 1.30pm onwards.
There is a good sized car park on site.
Address: Bournville Ln, Birmingham B30 2JT
tel: 0121 464 9072
A map can be found by clicking this link.
Please remember that Westall Park is essentially a field so please come dressed for the weather – wellies and umbrellas may be needed if it has been raining. Make sure you’re warm and comfortable.
No flowers please.
If you would like to do something in Wendy’s memory donations are being sought for Dr Hadwen Trust and John Taylor Hospice.
The Dr Hadwen Trust funds cutting edge medical research without using animals, and the John Taylor Hospice cared for Wendy during her last days.
If you’d like to donate online you can do so via the following links, otherwise there will be a collection on the day.
Donate to Dr Hadwen Trust
Donate to John Taylor Hospice
A week ago today I sat with my dear, dear friend Wendy Hurst for the last time in this lifetime, the next passage of our long and close friendship since 1993. It was a huge privilege to sit with Wendy in the hospice where she was being cared for; where Wendy was ever wise and stoical, the mutual love from family and friends brimming and boundless, and responding to the clearly challenging illness with huge courage, with her Wendy-strength and to her friends and family with her typical good, unique love and humour. Then, very, very sadly, Wendy died on Sunday morning February 19th, from the cruel short-term illness which had only been diagnosed five weeks earlier. It is a painfully huge loss for us all, her family and friends, and also for the many community and arts groups in which she played a major role. Wendy is a brilliant, creative soul. She has illuminated our lives with her kindness, integrity, sensitive, caring and compassionate humanism, her sense of fun, sense of humour and her big love throughout, her musicianship, brilliant entertainment skills and general bon homie and joie de vie, and her determination to protect animals and campaign for animal rights, and human rights for equality and justice. Wendy Hurst I cannot begin to tell you how deeply you will be missed. There are no words. Much love always. X
Dear Wendy, Now that you have passed to the spirit world you will understand so much more about the meaning and purpose of life on earth. You did a wonderful job of teaching and helping others to release their inner talents in art and music and I am so proud of you. You were very grounded in everything you tackled and kept your sense of humor. I am far away in Palm Springs, California and a bit too old to take such a long journey at this stage, but as your older brother you will know how much I love you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers and when you have settled in to your new life on the other side I will await a message from you, which I am sure you will try to convey in some way or another. Until that time take a much deserved rest, little sister, and have wonderful dreams and reunions with family. God bless and peace be with you. Much love always from brother Brian. XXXXX Ramesh also sends his deep love to you.
Wendy was a dear friend of many years. She selflessly played music to support my fund-raising activities for a Nepalese children’s’ charity, and with her close pal , Mel, made several of my birthday parties rock to the sound of their music and singing. Together we went to Brighton Pride four times, and her sense of fun and spirit of adventure left me with many happy memories.
Only a few weeks before her death, I attended the Comedians Choir which she had lead, and where she performed brilliantly, as always.
. She also ran the Birmingham Women’s Hospital Choir until December, producing a lovely Christmas show.
Wendy was part of my writing group, and the stories she wrote always made us laugh …or cry!
I loved seeing her perform with The Fabulous Jam Tarts. Now, that was something else!!!
Wendy was an inspiration with her ethical lifestyle. She was a vegan for many years, always used eco-friendly products, and supported Dr Hadwen Trust , who undertake medical research without the use of animals.
My tribute to Wendy is that in future I will try to be more like her.
Wendy I will miss you so much. Every time I go to Kings Heath I will sadly be aware that I can no longer drop in on you for a cuppa as I got into the habit of doing. Your hospitality and inclusiveness were a real blessing .
You have influenced me so much over the years since I met you in 2001. When I started in that counselling team where we once worked together I was lucky enough to get to know you and to become your friend. You encouraged me to join you on a comedy course and we had so much fun together having a go at writing comedy. Your talents in comedy, in music , in art, in teaching and in counselling were amazing. Everything is going to remind me of you : when I take my car to the garage you recommended, when I eat at Jyoti’s that you introduced me to, when I go to the dentist we had in common, when I think of the jokes we shared. Who am I going to text my jokes to now ?
Wendy you have been such a caring compassionate and principled woman and a wonderful friend. I can hardly bear to lose you.
Love from Christinex
Christine, thank you for your beautiful tribute to my sister who was indeed a remarkable woman. Although I live here in Palm Springs California I would stay in touch with Wendy through Facebook, which was a great blessing to us both. I do not travel well nowadays and so could not be with all of you at the funeral but my sister Joy has been keeping me informed about things. It is heart warming to see so many lovely comments from Wendy’s friends. You are all such a treasure and I do personally thank each and every one of you for being there for Wendy in her time of need. Blessings and peace, sincerely, Brian E. Hurst.
Dear Wendy. Very fond memories of a life well lived. Champagne whisky jenga walking singing and laughter. (All in one weekend here in somerset). Such a terrible shock. X
Golden memories Dear Mark.
A few people have asked me about the dress code for the funeral. Wendy requested that it is informal dress. My personal understanding of this is smart casual. I hope this helps.
“She Is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your
back.
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love
and go on.”
We have witnessed through knowing Wendy and hearing all of the contributions that have been shared by her family and close friends the extent of her love, friendship and creativity. Knowing Wendy has blessed us all.
E. E. Cummings said: –
“A person who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
Wendy had indeed discovered the value of life and enhanced ours through that energy and love.
You will be so missed. Forever in our hearts.
Hilary and Jane
Thank you Wendy for being a good, principled, kind and fun loving friend.
Thank you for being there for me.
Also thank you for supporting me with my work, giving me the lift up into the art world when I had no idea how to get going and continuing to support me on that rocky road.
Most of all thank you for being you.
I will miss you so much.
Maggie x
Thinking of you dearest Wendy, my music partner. Love and music always. Mel xxx
I have only found out today that Wendy died!
She was a huge influence on my life!
She was my teacher in the 1970’s at Wolverley High School. We became great friends and went to concerts together. We were great pen friends when she went to Canada. I still have all the letters she wrote to me!
I used to go and stay with her at her flat in Harbourne. We played in a band together in the 1980s and then over the years we lost touch!
I’m so sorry I didn’t know she was ill.
I will never forget her influence on my life – it was immense!
I will never forget her!
Sorry …. I have only just found out Wendy had died. Wendy was a close friend of mine when we attended Cambridge College of Arts & Technology in the early 70’s, before she went to Bretton Hall. We met again at her party in Kidderminster in 1977, after which she gave Lynda & I a lift back to Birmingham. Witty, vivacious, with a real lust for life. Sad loss.