Wendy K. McConnell-Hanson was born and raised in the Hayward, Wisconsin area.  Wendy had two passions children and literature.  She believed in fairy tales, happy endings, knights in shining armor, and princesses that needed the kiss of their true love to wake up from a timeless sleep. She loved to spend time in libraries and bookstores.  Hours could pass without her noticing.  Wendy loved reading a good book and sharing those books with others.  Wendy loved to read and wanted to build that passion in the children in her life as well.

Like most people, Wendy had dreams.  One of her dreams was to write a children’s book.  She took classes that focused on publishing and writing.  There were many thoughts and ideas she had for her books she planned to write.  We found them written down in random places around her room.  Wendy dreamed about spending her retirement volunteering at a bookstore or library, where she could browse the shelves, and most importantly, spend time reading aloud to young children.

Unfortunately, Wendy was unable to reach her dreams.

As a family, we felt that it was appropriate to donate her memorial funds to the library in Hayward where she grew up.  Then we asked, “Is that enough of a legacy to leave behind for someone with such a deep passion for books and children?” Wendy gave so much of herself to others and we want to honor her memory in a way that truly represents who she was. 

The library in Hayward has a special place (the Children’s Patio) waiting for Wendy’s namesake to be displayed. This would be the most precious gift to represent Wendy’s life and her passion for reading and children.

Please consider a donation to help us make Wendy’s dream come true and honor her memory.