About Wendy

Wendy O’Bryan Ward was a loving wife of 10 years to Chris and an adoring mother to their two children, Caroline and Jack.  Wendy’s life was tragically cut short at age 32, but not before she left an tremendous and lasting impact of those around her.

Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on June 29, 1979, Wendy was the first born to Jim and Deb O’Bryan.  Her infectious personality grew in her childhood with her brother, Nick and sister, Katie, while attending and leaving lasting impressions at St. Joe’s grade school and Bishop Luers High School.  Wendy excitedly set off to the University of Dayton in 1997.  There, she met her future husband and best friend, Chris, when they met in the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law fraternity.  At UD, Wendy touched life, made lasting friendships, studied abroad in Italy and excelled in English and literature.  In 2001, Wendy proudly graduated from UD with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Wendy moved to Columbus after graduation to start her life with Chris.  She went on to be an accomplished writer and public relations consultant.  Wendy worked for 10 years at Constructive Communication, Inc., as its vice-president, serving clients in the architecture, construction and engineering industries.  Wendy always had a passion for literature, reading and writing and also felt blessed to be able to use those skills in her career. 

Chris and Wendy returned to UD on May 31, 2003 and were happily married among family and friends.  Wendy’s dreams starting to fall into place and she and Chris moved into their first home in Hilliard, Ohio and started their family.  Caroline Isabel was born in 2005 and Jackson Mark in 2008, giving two healthy and beautiful children to a loving mommy, Wendy.  Wendy’s life was tragically cut short on May 18, 2012 at the age of 32 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.  Those who witnessed her journey, especially Chris, Caroline and Jack, saw Wendy’s incredible strength and courage in the face of this terrible disease.  Wendy fought ever day for more life - for every second more with her children.

Wendy was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and woman.  She touched so many people’s lives and her memory lives on - through her children, family, friends and the world she left behind and made so much better.