In Memoriam: Wendy Overly (MFA ’87)
Our classmate and friend, Wendy Overly, peacefully passed away on Oct 13 due to complications from Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones and the collective circle of friends and family around the country. A true original, Wendy was a splendid stage actress, director, theatre teacher, and choreographer. For film, she was an accomplished actress and dialect coach (most recently pinch hitting to play a receptionist in the film for she was dialect coach; Manchester by the Sea.) She was also an amazing entrepreneur with her baked goods company Overly Delicious, and the craftiest craftswoman creating quilts and gifts. Many have already said that her last gifts were face masks lovingly made in this time of Covid…
But in this writer’s mind, her truest gifts were her laughter, and her love. Love for her family (sisters Robin and Amy, and brother Wynn, husband Bill, and countless people she considered family) Love for her country and love for her Alma Maters: Syracuse, Kent State, and Virginia Commonwealth University and the people with whom she created theatre. Love for her friends who will remember her spirit and smile. We were lucky to have known her at all.
Rest, dear Wendy. Know you are fiercely loved. And when I get to Heaven, we’ll all put on quite the show… With Love, Jill Bloede (MFA ’87).
Compiled by Liz Hopper (Emeritus Faculty) and Jerry Williams (BFA ’71) for the October 2020 Theatre Alumni Newsletter. Special Thanks to Jill Bloede (MFA ’87) for the lovely words about Wendy.