Wendy Roy, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and community leader, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the age of 74. Wendy was born in Bigfork, MN on December 30, 1950, the youngest of Gene and Dorothy Wilson's five daughters. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1968 and married her favorite classmate, Denny Roy, on August 2, 1969.

After high school, Wendy took on a variety of jobs to support her husband while he completed his college education. She worked as a skilled seamstress for many years, but as her children grew older, Wendy moved into more community-based roles. She became a part-time leader at Weight Watchers, where she discovered and refined a natural talent for public speaking. Her warmth and humor made her a source of encouragement and strength for many. Later, Wendy served as the Program Director of Campfire Minnesota in Grand Rapids—a role that reflected her passion for supporting young people. In 1994, she stepped into what was the most significant role of her career: she became the first Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF).

With vision, tenacity, and heart, Wendy helped shape and grow the foundation into a trusted resource for the region. Under her leadership, GRACF expanded its reach, built new partnerships, and hired its first full-time staff. Wendy retired from GRACF in 2012, but her legacy of thoughtful leadership and community stewardship endures in the lives touched by the foundation's work.

In her 50s, while still leading the GRACF, Wendy returned to college and completed her bachelor's degree in Business at St. Scholastica—a moment of pride shared by her husband, children, and grandchildren who cheered her on at graduation.

Wendy lived a life rich in love, connection, and joyful pursuits. Her 54-year marriage to Denny was an inspiring example of partnership and love. She treasured her friendships, many of which were celebrated annually at a getaway with her closest companions that started in the 1980s. While she kept the details of those trips mostly under wraps, the family suspects they involved a healthy mix of bridge, golf, and Manhattans. Wendy was an athlete. She nurtured her grandchildren's love of golf with patience and skill and was a fierce (but good-humored) competitor—beating the entire family in a spirited Cornhole championship just last Fourth of July. Wendy loved the outdoors, spending time gardening, fishing, and cruising on the pontoon. In her later years, she became lovingly obsessed with making maple syrup—a pastime she shared with Denny and her in-laws, Nancy and Jim Arnhold, enjoying time together around the boil. In addition to being a talented seamstress, evidenced by her children's and grandchildren's award-winning Halloween costumes, Wendy practiced her talents in many crafts. Most recently, she enjoyed woodworking and was amassing an impressive collection of tools in her wood shop. Wendy also had a deep love of travel. She and Denny shared many wonderful adventures across the globe, but they made a tradition of traveling to Kauai almost annually for the past 20 years.

Wendy's life was one of quiet strength and commitment to family and community. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Denny Roy; her sisters Linda Wilson, Kathy Buckley, and Lana Porter; and her granddaughter, Gabrielle Roy. She is survived by her son, Ben (Maureen) Roy; daughters, Becky (Scott) Lien and Rachel (Matt) Christy; her sister Susan Johnson; sisters-in-law, Nancy Arnhold, Peggy Roy, and Joyce Graham; brothers-in-law, Jim Arnhold, Larry Roy, Tom Roy, and Bob Porter; six grandchildren, Gaetan (Rachael) Roy, Nicolette Roy, Sander Lien, Jace Christy, Beau Christy, and Max Christy; her great-granddaughter, Aloy Roy; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 9:30 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, MN, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Fr. Jerry Weiss will officiate. A private burial will take place at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to the Wendy and Denny Roy Fund at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.