Reverend Canon Wendy Barbara Roy

It is with deep love and fond remembrance that the family of Wendy Roy announce her peaceful passing on June 27, 2026, at the place she most wanted to be – the island cottage in Haliburton Lake. 

Born on April 18, 1948, in Vancouver, Wendy was the eldest of seven children born to Pearle and Murray Roy.  The family moved to the Niagara Region of Ontario in 1961, where other members of the Roy family resided.  Wendy was predeceased by her father, brother Bradley, and nephew Matthew Zimmerman. She leaves behind her spouse (Dean Jeffries), siblings (Regan, Debbie Zimmerman, Robert, Patricia, and Fraser), nieces and nephews (Amy and Ben Zimmerman, Cecely and Annan, Callum and Molly Roy Barron, and Kathryn, Adam, and Nathan), and her longtime, best friend (Mary Antoniolli).

Wendy graduated from Grimsby and District Secondary School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) from McMaster University in 1970.  Short careers followed in the Medical Education group at McMaster Medical School, and in consumer education with the Ontario Government.  However, following an inner call to service, she sought to join the early ranks of Anglican women clergy by completing a Master of Divinity from Trinity College (University of Toronto), and was ordained first a Deacon of the Diocese of Niagara in1982, and then a priest in 1983.  She served in parish ministry as Rector of the Church of St Thomas, Hamilton, and Honorary Assistant at Christ's Church Cathedral, Hamilton, and Christ Church Flamborough.  For nineteen years, she was Executive Director of St Matthew's House in north Hamilton, then an outreach program of the Diocese of Niagara.  Throughout her tenure, she worked tirelessly to develop programs, initiatives, and outreach services that supported and aided low-income individuals and families.

With curiosity, generosity, compassion, kindness, and a sense of humour, Wendy could be at ease with anyone, anywhere, and was able to make others feel the same.  The pastoral care she exercised in her ministry came easily.  She had unshakable beliefs in what was right, integrity rooted in her family heritage.  As a feminist, she was a strong advocate for social justice, diversity, and particularly women's rights – qualities that were recognized several times during her leadership at St Matthew's House. 

Wendy loved to experience the world.  Camping across Canada, backpacking across Europe, canoeing into Algonquin Park, expedition kayaking with the whales in Baja, Mexico, and deep into Desolation Sound, British Columbia were particularly memorable.  Being among the tall maples and pines at the Haliburton Lake island property was a constant pleasure and release for almost fifty years.  It was her favourite place.  Wendy believed in nature conservancy and environmental protection, feeling strongly that we should all be kind stewards of the earth.  Wendy loved fine art and craft, especially works by Canadian Aboriginal artists, and generously shared such art pieces with her family.  She had diverse tastes in music.

During her latter years, she bore declining health with equanimity and a resolve to make the best of it at all times.  In the end, she always lived life on her own terms. 

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Wendy's life will be held at CHRIST CHURCH FLAMBOROUGH, Dundas, Ontario; date to be announced. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Wendy’s name can be made to Christ Church Flamborough or to the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME, 13523 Hwy. #118 Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0 (705) 457-9209.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Reverend Canon Wendy Barbara Roy, please visit our Tree Store.