In Remembrance Of Wendy Weller-Jones
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of lifelong Flatbush resident and community pillar Wendy Weller-Jones, who passed away on Friday, January 3 at the age of 71 following a struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Several neighbors have written to express how important Wendy was to them as well as to our area–thoughts we’d like to share ahead of her 11:30am memorial service tomorrow, Sunday, January 5, at Weinstein Garlick Kirschenbaum Funeral Chapels (1153 Coney Island Avenue on the corner of Avenue H).
“Those who are relatively new to the neighborhood may not have known Wendy Weller,” said Temple Beth Emeth‘s Rabbi Heidi Hoover, “but long-time residents will likely remember her as an active and vibrant member of the community. May Wendy’s memory always be a blessing.”
Wendy grew up on East 21st Street between Church and Caton Avenues, attending the University of Washington before returning to our area to study the dramatic arts at NYU. Her first husband was Midwood Hardware owner Herb Weller, with whom she moved to Avenue R and then to Marlborough Road in Prospect Park South–a home in which she would end up living for over three decades.
In 1970, Wendy was the first woman ever to be elected to the board Prospect Park South Association in its 65 year history. In 1980, she married her second husband, philosophy professor Jere Jones. From 1987 to 2002, she acted as Executive Director of the YWCA of Brooklyn, where she planned and oversaw vocational, childcare, and fitness programs.
“Wendy Weller-Jones was well-known and loved by all who knew her,” said local realtor and Wendy’s former neighbor Mary Kay Gallagher. “She was vivacious, friendly, and had a great sense of humor. Wendy moved from Prospect Park South many years ago and has been deeply missed. Fondest memories of a great gal!”
“Wendy loved her family,” says Mary Kay’s granddaughter Alexandra Reddish. “She was a energetic and fun person. She always was a happy and cheerful person. She surely will be missed. Our hearts go out to her three children.”
“Wendy was a woman of warmth, wit, style and devotion to our Flatbush community and to her family and many friends,” says neighbor Hazel Tischoff. “When Wendy sold her home of many decades on Marlborough Road she chose to remain in our neighborhood moving to an apartment of Argyle Road. Her heart was here and she was greatly loved and admired by many in our community.”
In addition to her time on the Steering Committee of the NY State Council of YWCAs, Wendy sat on the board of the Center for the Elimination of Violence in the Family as well as the Board of Directors of what is now known as The Berkeley Carroll School, and joined the Event Fundraising Committee of Brooklyn Community and Housing Services. She also remained on the board of the PPSA until 2005, and received numerous honors and awards for her work to better Brooklyn and the lives of women in it.
A few years after Jere’s passing in 2003, Wendy moved to Ditmas Park West. In 2009, her volunteering efforts were honored by the Flatbush Development Corporation, which said at the time that Wendy’s “dedication and commitment to Flatbush Development Corporation and the community has been tremendous.”
“Wendy Weller-Jones was a true Flatbush matriarch,” said FDC Executive Director Robin Redmond upon word of Wendy’s passing. “Her love for family, friends, and neighborhood was evident in the way she lived her life.
“A staunch supporter of FDC and a community volunteer, you could always rely on Wendy. Whether it was the house tour or the benefit dinner, Wendy would call to volunteer and you could expect to see her the following day rolling up her sleeves and diving right in.
“Lunches on Cortelyou Road are going to be a little lonelier knowing that Wendy will no longer be sitting across the table laughing and sharing stories,” she said.
Wendy is survived by her children Rachel, Rebecca, and David. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.
If you have a memory of Wendy you’d like to share, please do so below.
Photos of Wendy (pictured in center of both) via Robin Redmond/Flatbush Development Corporation