Wendy Johnston Grim

Wendy Grim, 46, left this world peacefully on July 18, 2013 after a long and brave battle with cancer. Her last days were spent at Serenity House, in Santa Barbara CA, lovingly surrounded by family and friends.

A fourth generation Santa Barbara native, Wendy was born on April 5, 1967 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. She graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1985, the ninth in her family to attend and graduate. She worked at the Santa Barbara Polo Fields, Jedlicka’s (her favorite job), Barclays Bank and for the last 23 years at UCSB. Wendy met the love of her life, her husband Rich, in March 1995 and they married on October 4, 1997.

Wendy inherited a love of horses from her grandmother, Beth Clare, and spent countless days riding her horses in the mountains and on the beaches of Santa Barbara. “Horseback riding is my therapy” she would always say. Wendy rode in many Fiesta Parades with various groups, mostly Los Padres Trail Riders. As a guest, she also participated in quite a few semi-annual rides with the Sage Hens. She loved being outdoors and camping with her many friends, her family, her horses and any and all dogs.

Wendy is survived by her husband Rich, daughter Clare (Goleta), parents Cindy and Jim Reed (Santa Ynez), her four older brothers and their spouses, Bryce and Susan Johnston, Brent and Ayako Johnston, Clay and Kathy Reed and Kirk Reed. Also survived by nephews and nieces Matthew and Jeffrey Johnston and Daniel, Josh, Emily, and Kalen Reed. Her father, Robert Johnston, passed in September of 1994.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care c/o Serenity House.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 9, 2013 at Stow Grove Park at 2pm