Wendy Sue McCracken Wenger was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 1, 1959, to Dorothy Bailey McCracken and Walter Dean McCracken. She grew up in Tonawanda, N.Y., graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1977, and graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

She worked for three years at Buffalo General Hospital before joining the Traveling Nurse Corps in 1985. Following a three-month assignment in Savannah, Ga., she had an assignment in Tacoma Park, Md. The Traveling Nurse Corps rented apartments in College Park, Md., where she met Lynn Wenger. She then started working at the National Rehab Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Wendy and Lynn were married one year later and were blessed with two children, Brian Paul in 1988 and Jennifer Kae in 1990. She loved being a stay-at-home mother for her children.

With Lynn working in the construction industry, they moved a couple times for his work. After six years in College Park, the family moved to Knightdale, N.C. Six years later, the family moved to Mooresville, N.C., where they have been for the last 25 years. When Jennifer was in fourth grade, Wendy returned to work in her nursing career. She spent the next 15 years working for the Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center’s Mooresville office until she retired in 2013.

While her children were in school, she was an active PTO volunteer coordinator for Lakeshore Elementary School and Lakeshore Middle School for a number of years. She was also the first-aid attendant for the Lake Norman High School Marching Band’s outings and competitions for seven years. In addition, while Brian was performing with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, she went on tour with the Corps two different years, working on their uniform maintenance and taking care of first-aid issues for the 200-member ensemble.

Wendy was also active in her church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mooresville. She was a Sunday School teacher, sang in the choir, volunteered at the pre-school, and helped with Vacation Bible School. She also spent 10 years as a Girl Scout leader for Jennifer’s troop.

Six years ago, when she was only 58 years old, Wendy was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s. In the last three years she has experienced accelerated periods of decline and spent the last four months in the hospital, a rehab center, a Senior Living Facility, and the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House.

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, with her husband and children present, Wendy went to be with the Lord, ending her period of turmoil on this earth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Dorothy McCracken. She is survived by her loving husband Lynn; her son Brian (Ashley); and her daughter, Jennifer. Two of the biggest joys in her life are her granddaughter Carden and her grandson Lucas. She is also survived by her sister, Pamela (Robert) Catipovic; her brother, Jeff (Cristy) McCracken; and numerous nieces and nephews; and hundreds of friends.

A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mooresville with Rev. Dave Keck officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center at the church.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville is proudly serving the Wenger family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.