Wendy Farrington

“You will stay with us in our dreams.”

We all strive to find a soulmate in our life, often sought and yet rarely found but
Wendy and Ray were blessed with that illusive magic; they were together for over
thirty-two years, the best of friends who made each other laugh every single day and
were still very much in love, totally devoted to one another and to their beloved dogs
Ben and Poppy.

Wendy was a loving mum to her daughter Julie, devoted to her granddaughter Abby
and a dear mother-in-law to Julian. She was a lovely lady who got on well with
everyone and made many good friends over the years and I would like to thank
Glynis for joining Ray and I to talk about today. Glynis has known Wendy for over
thirty years and she poignantly told me Wendy was the best friend anyone could
ever have, she never asked for anything but gave everything.
Remembering Wendy
Wendy was born at Hough on 2 nd March 1844 to her parents Elsie and Bill. She and
her brother Alan had a happy childhood. After leaving school, Wendy’s first job was
in the general office at the Railway. She then spent most of her working life as a
receptionist on the service desk at various car showrooms but spent many years at
James Edwards in Nantwich. Ray told me she was totally suited to the role because
she had excellent customer service skills. She dealt with customers in a
professional, and confident manner and had the ability to stay calm when under
pressure especially when people were presented with the dreaded bill! After Wendy
retired from full time employment, she had a part time job at Dial a Ride in Crewe
between nine and twelve then gave up work completely after Ray retired.
When I was speaking to Ray, I wanted to know where their love story started.
Wendy lived at number eleven Osborne Grove, Ray lived at number five and I
believe as neighbours they got on well although when I asked how the two of them
got together Ray smiled as he told me “she came round for a cup of sugar and never
left!” In fact, it was love at first sight and Ray was hooked the day he set eyes on
her! As their relationship progressed, Ray bought number fourteen to do up and sell
on but having planned and supervised the refurbishment, Wendy fell in love with the
project and wanted to move in so number eleven was sold, Julie was in number five
and Wendy got her wish!
They enjoyed luxurious holidays twice a year usually to Corfu for two weeks in June
and ten days in September but after visiting the dogs home Stoke, Wendy fell in love
with Ben a cross border collie, gave him a loving home and refused to leave him in
kennels. Instead of going abroad, they bought a caravan, tried it out at Spencer’s
field in Spurstow to get used to everything then progressed to beautiful sites, mainly
in North Wales and absolutely loved the freedom of caravanning and of course
having Ben with them. When Ben sadly passed away Glynis was fostering Poppy so
Poppy went to Wendy and Ray on day release to see if she settled, well, of course
she did, and she was well and truly pampered.

Ray described their wonderful life, they were totally content in each other’s company
and although they couldn’t go on holiday for the last five years or so due to Wendy’s
ill health, they loved going for a trip out in the car, wherever the mood took them; a
ride out to country pubs like the Shady Oak by the canal near Tarporley or The
Beeston Castle, anywhere the dog was welcome or they would often admire the view
at Nantwich Lake, feed the birds and walk the dog. When they returned home,
they’d put the bolt on the gate and settle down in the evening to watch TV. Wendy
loved her Soaps, for the love of dogs, vet programmes well, anything to do with
animals.
Apparently when Wendy was a child, she was only ever allowed to have a goldfish,
so she certainly made up for it throughout the years, a menagerie of pets including
her dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, hamsters in fact, Ray said the only thing they
hadn’t had was a crocodile!

She loved watching the birds and I gather squirrels used to invite themselves into the
house, grab some peanuts then scurry off to hide their treasure. They didn’t know
where they were hiding the stash until their neighbour went to put his wellies on and
put his feet into a bed of nuts! They also kept chickens in the old pigsty in the back
garden.
After thirty idyllic years together, Ray decided it was the right time to get married, he
just didn’t tell Wendy. He planned to get a special licence because of his cancer
treatments so he enticed the unsuspecting bride to be to accompany him to Crewe.
He left her in the car and went to the Town Hall to sort out the application but had to
let the cat out of the bag when he found out all the documents he needed and of
course she had to sign the forms too. When the special day arrived, it was low key
but a magical day with just a few special people in attendance.
Wendy was full of fun, loving and caring. She loved a good laugh and was incredibly
laid back, to quote Ray; “she was so laid back she was nearly horizontal!” She was
the Yin to Ray’s Yang. Like every double act: Morecambe and Wise, Cannon and
Ball, there is the comedian and the straight side kick well Ray has always been the
comedian and Wendy was his side kick but just as comical. Some of the things she
got up to are unrepeatable but really funny.
I laughed as Ray told me Wendy used his toothbrush to clean the dog’s teeth! The
cat had a go at Ray’s dinner and when Wendy noticed, she rinsed it under the tap
and put it back on the plate, then Ray commented: “this bloody chop’s a bit ragged
isn’t it?
Ray bought an anniversary card and intending to write it later, he stuffed it into the
basket of paperwork in the living room. When he got around to writing it, he looked
high and low but couldn’t find it. He said to Wendy, “I bought you an anniversary
card the other day and I can’t find it,” “well, I’ve got you one!” she told him and when
he opened it, it was the card he had got for her – unbeknown to him, Wendy had
been watching him through door and saw him sneak the card into the basket so
because she couldn’t get out for one she decided to use his!
“And was she a good cook?” I asked? “OOOH, don’t bring that one up!” said Ray, I
was the chef, Wendy was the sou chef. But in fairness, Ray loved to do the cooking
and baking so in truth why would you have a dog and bark yourself?

Several years ago, when they towed the caravan, Ray had a Jeep so he bought a
small car for Wendy, she drove it on the test drive, “yes, its lovely” she said and that
was the end of that – the one and only time she drove it because it remained on the
drive until Ray got rid of his own.
He lovingly described her as a good woman, innocent as the day is long, a beautiful
soul with no malice or hate and never a bad word to say about anyone. She could
give an opinion when it was needed and watch out when she did! Wendy just
appreciated what she had, and she felt she had enough to make her so very happy.
Despite becoming pretty much confined to the house because of the deterioration in
her mobility, unless she was out with Ray, her bodyguard!

‘A rose once grew where all could see, sheltered behind a garden wall. One day a
beam of light shone through a crevice that had opened wide. The rose bent gently
towards its warmth and passed through to the other side’.

On 1st January 2021, Wendy passed away at home aged 76 years.

She will be very sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Wendy’s funeral will take place on Thursday 21st January at Crewe Crematorium.