In Loving Memory of
Wendy Elizabeth Soto
1960-2024
Obituary of Wendy Elizabeth Soto
Wendy Elizabeth Soto, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2024, after living with cancer for about a year and a half. Wendy was born in Welland on September 15, 1960, the youngest child of William and Jenny Chehowski. After graduating from Eastdale Secondary School, Wendy attended Niagara College, receiving a Diploma in Business Administration, and then later attended Brock University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and her teaching certificate. She thrived for thirty years in a career she loved with the District School Board of Niagara. After retiring she enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends, travel, golf, SUP, and her newfound addiction of pickleball, as well as continuing to teach on occasion.She is survived by her devoted husband, Serge Soto, much-loved daughters, Elizabeth Campbell and Laura Andricciola and their partners, Jesse Campbell and Cameron Smith, her loving mother, Jenny Chehowski, brothers, Richard Chehowski and Paul Chehowski, and their partners, Nancy Chehowski and Kelly Wood, mother-in-law, Bernardita Orieta Soto, step-daughter and partner, Ali and Myke Stewart, and brother-in-law, Marco Soto. Wendy also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Mya and Colby Campbell, Everett Smith, and Sienna and Sadie Stewart and also several nieces and nephews, great-nieces,a great-nephew, her Uncle Phil, Aunt Barb and Aunt Rita Bruzzese. Wendy’s family meant the world to her and she appreciated and loved each and every one dearly.
She is also survived by many friends and colleagues and students who added greatly to her life. She appreciated and learned from each. Thanks also go out to everyone at the Walker Cancer Centre for all of the positive interactions she experienced there.
The family invites everyone to attend Wendy’s green burial at St. John’s Public Cemetery, 2878 St. John’s Drive in Jordan, L0R 1S0 at 11a.m. on Saturday, August 31, and to join us immediately afterwards in the reception hall "Hearth Room" for an informal Celebration of Life. In Wendy’s memory, do something kind for someone else. No flowers please. Online tributes can be shared on Wendy’s tribute page found at EssentialsNiagara.com.
Service Information
Natural Burial
Date: August 31, 2024Start Time: 11:00 am
End Time: 11:30 am
Venue: St John’s Public Cemetery, 2878 St John’s Drive in Jordan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tJCBUv9xTpbr6We28
A Celebration of Life
Date: August 31, 2024Start Time: 11:30 am
End Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Hearth Room located in the Cemetery's reception hall.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tJCBUv9xTpbr6We28
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Donations
The family of Wendy Elizabeth Soto would like you to consider placing a donation to one of the following charities:
In lieu of donations, family requested that kind gestures towards someone else is a special way to honour Wendy's legacy.Note: If you plan on making a donation, please notify the family by posting a condolence.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Wendy was an inspirational teacher and a great person. Much to too young to go. Sincere condolences to you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom Liz. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts. I will always remember your mom making me sandwiches for lunch at your house on Glenayr.
Wendy touched many lives in the Pickleball community. Here are some more messages from her Pickleball friends.
We offer our deepest condolences for the loss of Wendy. During this challenging time, the members of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Pickleball Club are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Wendy was an extraordinary person, and her absence will be deeply missed by everyone. We would like to share some reflections from our members in her honor.
Wendy’s beautiful smile will continue to bring one to mine. What a very special woman. Sending my love, Erin
Although Wendy and I crossed paths very briefly, her kindness, her smile and her skill on the court left a lasting impression. My sincere condolences to her family.
I went to high school with Wendy and reconnected at Pickle Ball in Niagara on the lake. Wendy was a beautiful, kind, positive and encouraging person. I will miss her.
Wendy had such rich life, so sorry for your loss Serge. You are in our thoughts. We send you our love.
Serge, We were so sorry to hear this sad news about Wendy. We will be thinking of you today and many days moving forward and wanted to extend our sincere sympathy and condolences.
Thinking of you and your family as you go through this sad chapter in your life.
Serge, Elizabeth, and Laura: so many friends from Pickleball have posted notes on our club facebook page to honour and remember Wendy. I thought you might like to see them.
We are all so sorry that Wendy had to leave us.
Our condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of Wendy’s passing. My condolences to Serge and the family. Wendy played pickleball with my husband and he had asked her this past spring to play as his partner in a tournament for July. That’s when she had to advise him of being in stage 4 cancer and she couldn’t predict if she could play. She emailed me on Aug 5 to give her condolences for his passing in July and commented how unfair if was that he would end up getting diagnosed and passing before that game he asked her about being partners at even happened. She wished me well and that I would find reasons to smile and laugh every day. Her email and donation to my husband’s memorial bench fund really touched me. I only met her once, but she made an impression as a lovely woman with a warm energy, determination and love of life. I was praying for her and praise God for her peaceful passing. May she rest in peace 🙏 and may her family and loved ones find peace too in the memories that will forever live in their hearts.
So sad to hear of Wendy’s passing. She was an angel on earth. So kind, welcoming, inclusive. Heartbreaking to hear of her passing. Condolences to family. She was a remarkable woman
I met Wendy last winter at the Meridian Centre in fonthill playing Pickleball. Her gentle spirit and kindness was so apparent. She had an amazing sense of humor.. I was going through tough times, and seeing her smile and laugh was amazing. She never once mentioned cancer or that she was sick. We had many laughs together. I will definitely miss her.
My sincere condolences to all of Wendy’s family.. It was a joy to watch Wendy grow up in our neighborhood, from a shy little girl to a woman of great strength much like her Mother. May God grant her eternal peace. She will be missed, not only by her family but by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Rest well dear Wendy.
I met Wendy early in 2024 at the Pickleball Bubble in Niagara Falls. I immediately liked her. She had a friendly look about her which quickly switched to a competitive face when facing her on the PB courts. She had such an easy going attitude and I never expected that she was fighting an internal battle. Quick with a smile or to praise a good shot, Wendy is one of the special people that come into our lives, but leaves too soon. Rest in Peace my friend. To her family I say…take comfort in knowing that Wendy left a little piece of herself with everyone she met.
I was blessed to have worked with Wendy my very first year as an Educational Assistant 8 years ago at Diamond Trail. I remember walking into her room very nervous and she was such a lovely welcoming person and made my first day go so smoothly. She was such an amazing teacher and colleague to work with. My deepest condolences to her family.
Jenny
I am so saddened by your loss.please accept my deepest condolences. I met your daughter briefly and immediately felt a beautiful energy radiating from her! Wendy was one dynamic woman as are you!
May she rest in peace and may God keep you in the palm of His hands!
Dear Serge, our sincere condolences to all family members. Wendy was a most
gracious and very happy person who always made being with her and Serge an enjoyable experience from the first time we met . Her passion and energy with whatever she did always brought a smile. God bless her.
I had the privilege of teaching the Math Part 1 AQ course with Wendy. What a passionate, knowledgeable and lovely person. She was fun and generous to work with. I saw her years later at Zumba, and we were able to catch up a bit. It was obvious she loved her family deeply, and she had a zest for life. She will be missed. May your wonderful memories of her help you through this difficult time. My thoughts are with you.
Liz and Laura and family
Sorry for your loss
Our sincere condolences
I only knew Wendy a short time through our shared love of pickleball but what an impression she leaves behind. A beautiful soul who made everyone feel so valued. I will miss that smile that lit up the court. My deepest condolences to her family.
To Wendy’s family: I am so sorry for your loss. I’ll always remember Wendy as friendly & someone who loved to laugh. She was a great cousin & will be missed. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
With Love & Light, Gloria (Chehowski) Szakszon
I was blessed with meeting Wendy at 20 Valley in 2022 when she was a volunteer everyday Wendy stop by the halfway house we would chat just about everything in life. Truly a beautiful lady and one of the most kind and gentle soul I’ve ever met You will be truly missed beautiful Angel
May God love you as you are loved on Earth by so many Sweet dreams beautiful angel!
Dear Serge and Family, my heart-felt condolences on the passing of Wendy. Wendy fought the fight with grace and courage. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. ♥️
Ron and I are so very sorry and heartbroken to hear of the passing of Wendy. We know she will be missed by so many many people. Wendy was beautiful person and we were privileged to know her, even for a brief period. RIP Wendy, you will remain in the hearts of many. Susan Sakowski and Ron Herkimer.
To Serge and both Wendy’s and Families,
Khayyam and I are deeply saddened to learn of Wendy’s untimely passing. It is so difficult to speak of her in the past knowing what a vibrant and wonderful person she was. Her beautiful smile, charming and energetic personality will forever be etched in our hearts. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and may the Lord grant her eternal rest and peace.
Such a terrible loss. She was filled with kindness and a true inspiration. My sincere condolences to the family
Beautiful lady and soul! I will remember her by her passion, laughter, and bright eyes and smile which lit up the pickleball court! I only knew her for a few short months but she will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to the family.
Wendy’s warmth, kindness and gentle strength touched everyone who knew her.
When we were fortunate enough to be included in Chehowski gatherings and celebrations, Wendy’s warm & ready smile, her sweet interactions with her grandchildren and her genuine interest in others will be foremost in our thoughts when we remember her. Bob and I are so sorry for your heartbreak and know the memories your families created together will last a lifetime and will comfort you now.
I met Wendy many years ago during salsa lessons. We would meet weekly and dance. I fondly remember her infectious laugh and friendly smile . Wendy was alway kind and made me feel welcome. I am happy I got to know her. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Wendy has been an inspirational friend and such a beautiful person. I met her a couple of weeks ago and we spoke about her strength, her cheerfulness and Pickleball. I will truly miss her presence and friendship. She is gone but not forgotten.