A public memorial for beloved The Gap resident Wendy Smith, who went missing in February 2023, had a big turnout as family and friends showed their support and love for the deceased and the family she left behind.
Locals gathered at the Walton Bridge Park Lions Shelter Shed on Saturday, the 25th of March 2023, for a barbecue to celebrate Wendy’s life.
Suzette Robinson, Ms Smith’s daughter, and her husband, Mark Robinson, expressed their thanks to the members of The Gap community who helped with their mother’s search, or donated money to cover the funeral cost, and temporarily looked after Ross Smith, Wendy’s husband with dementia. They also extended their gratitude to all those who reached out, consoled and offered whatever the family needed in their time of grief.
Wendy was last seen leaving her house on foot at 9:00 p.m. on the 2nd of February 2023 and did not bring her mobile phone, bank cards or personal items. While she had no physical ailments or mental health concerns, police treated her disappearance as out of character.
Two weeks after she disappeared, the police confirmed Wendy’s death. The circumstances surrounding her death were not treated as suspicious. Wendy apparently left a note saying she was leaving but did not elaborate on what she planned to do.
Wendy and her husband have been residents of The Gap for over four decades and raised three children. She was a member of The Gap Gardening Club and volunteered with Ashgrove/The Gap Lions. The elderly woman was familiar to a lot of local families because she used to work at Avant Shoes, the popular source of school shoes. Reports cited that no one had a clue that she was having financial troubles and was struggling to care for her ailing husband.
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Published 28 March 2023