Lasting Memories
Wendi Hammond Haskell
Nov. 25, 1941-June 10, 2017
Portola Valley, California
Wendi Hammond Haskell passed away quietly on June 10, 2017, at her home in Portola Valley surrounded by family members.
Wendi had a compassionate, vibrant and eternally young soul and was quick to share a smile, a laugh, support and encouragement. She was one of pure generosity - never giving in order to get anything in return except the knowledge that she had helped others.
As a devoted lover of the outdoors, Wendi was eager to protect not only nature but every being, whether human, animal or plant, that shared this earth with us. Wendi was at her happiest when skiing, hiking, playing tennis with her family and friends, traveling to remote locations with her husband Bill and spending time with her grandchildren.
Wendi was born in Hollywood, California, on November 25, 1941 to Winnie and Alex Hammond, who were singers working in the movies. She had four brothers and is survived by a brother, Gary Hammond and wife Anne, who live in Bozeman, Montana.
When she was age 3, Wendi’s family moved to Coachella Valley and then to Palm Springs. Wendi attended elementary and secondary school in Palm Springs and graduated from Palm Springs High School in 1959.
She became an excellent high school and college tennis player and continued to play high-level club tennis, winning many championships into her late 60s.
Wendi graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BA degree in Education in 1963. Following graduation, she married Bill Haskell and moved to Champaign, Illinois, and then Northern Virginia, where she taught high school health and physical education and coached various girls sports. Soon after the Haskells moved to Portola Valley in 1970, Wendi taught school in Portola Valley and adjacent school districts until 2012. She especially enjoyed teaching physical education and sports to younger children and helping girls develop their self-confidence through learning sport skills. Wendi was the consummate volunteer committed to improving the education of all children, helping people in need and saving the environment.
She was a member of the Portola Valley school board for eight years, served on a variety of school and PTA committees, and was an active member of The Friends of the Library of Portola Valley and the Portola Valley Parks and Recreation Committee.
In the early 1980s, when few organized sports programs were available for elementary school children in Portola Valley, Wendi developed and ran an innovative indoor soccer program for over 20 years. She delighted at being called "coach" by many kids when they saw her around the Valley. She created and taught a synchronized swimming program for young girls for 10 years, and coached both co-ed “T” ball and “pee-wee” soccer teams.
In the early 1980s, Wendi arranged for the first recycling program in Portola Valley, with the income from this program going directly to school sports programs. In more recent years she thrived when assisting in organizing community events like the run “Zots to Tots.”
One of Wendi’s greatest achievements was the compassionate and effective care she provided her severely disabled daughter, Heidi, for more than 40 years. At a time when few services were available for the care of infants with major brain injury, Wendi was relentless in working closely with caregivers and educators to ensure Heidi would develop mentally, physically and socially to her full potential.
Wendi and Bill have 4 children: Christopher, Heidi, Kimberly and Merrily. Christopher and wife Lisa live in Orinda and have 2 children (Clayton and Cassidy) Heidi lives in San Mateo, Kimberly lives in Granite Bay with husband Gerald Newlin and 2 children (Lucy and Molly) and Merrily lives in Portola Valley.
Aug. 13, 2017
I remember Wendi very well from our PSHS days. I'm sorry to hear that she has died. She was a lovely, vibrant and enthusiastic person. Diana
Aug. 13, 2017
I'm so sorry for all her family at her loss. I remember spending some good times with both Wendy and Gary as we spent our Jr. High and High School years in Palm Springs. I have a good visual of my brother, John playing the piano with all of us around him as he played. I'm sorry that I had loss touch with the Hammond family.
Aug. 4, 2017
Wendi was a wonderful sister-in-law. She was a fantastic mother to her children. We always admired her for her determination to make the best of her situation. She traveled the world with Bill and we know they had many great memories. We wished that we had been able to spend more time with her but she will always be in our memory and heart.
July 27, 2017
July 27, 2017
July 26, 2017
Wendi was my dear Flamingo roomie year after year. Once each winter our group of Flamingo gal friends flocked together to ski, snow shoe, catch up on each others' lives, and be generally silly in our dress up pinks and feathered boas. The founding members of the group were the Originales. Wendi was an Originale in all the best and most lovely ways.
July 26, 2017
July 20, 2017
Wendi was my room mate our freshman year at UCSB. I loved her then and have loved her ever since. Wendi was an overcommer, my very favorite trait. First she overcame rooming with someone whose study habits were opposite hers. She got her BA and became a member of the school board. I got my Mrs. degree after two years. She had a handicapped child and helped her florish. Her other children were each amazing in their own way due to some extent to the nurturing and examples they received in their home. She fought the good fight against diseases and their aftermath and was blessed by being cared for by those she had shared herself with. All who knew Wendi will miss her and love her always as I do.
July 13, 2017
July 11, 2017
July 11, 2017
Wendi came into my life when we were bith 9 years old and elementary school classmates. We stayed friends throughout our school years griwing closer as young mothers and then as mothers very proud of our grand chikdren. Wendi was so much fun to know but above all the good times shared was her inspiring strength of character and indomitable spirit. I am in awe of her great courage and talent as a mother, community leader and educator. She was a caretaker extraordinaire and stuck by you in adversity. She has been a loved friend since 1950 and she is irreplaceable in my life. My heart gies out to her dear famiky.Akhop
July 11, 2017
Here is a photo of one of the many wonderful flamingo flockings. Wendi was always in the center of all the activity. Shining beauty and light.
July 10, 2017
Wendi was a true inspiration to me when I got to know her while serving on the PV Parks & Rec committee. I consider her a pioneer in women's sports way before title 9. Her desire to pass on her passion for sports made a lasting impression on me. I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity to volunteer along side this strong woman. I fondly remember Wendi for all of her greatness. I will always look up to her!
July 4, 2017
Wendi was my high school PE teacher in Annandale, VA. She was a mentor and friend who taught me the love of boating and waterskiing. Her positive influence lead me to become a PE teacher in Fairfax Co, VA in her footsteps. I will always love and remember Wendi, Bill and (at the time) baby Chris whom I babysat often.
July 2, 2017
I first met Wendi when my now 23 yr old started playing indoor soccer at Ormondale. What a bundle of energy with an electric smile! Our children loved indoor soccer. Wendi was one of the first to really teach them sportsmanship, along with being so encouraging of their playing skills. Our community has lost one of its "tall trees". We send our condolences to the family. Godspeed Wendi. Till we all meet again.
July 2, 2017
Dearest Wendi, Oh, how we’ll miss your friendship and positive energy here in PV; yet we know your inspirational light will continue to shine down upon us here. You’ve shown us how to live life to its fullest and face adversity with charm, grace, fortitude, and hope. Love to you always, and blessings to your family from all of us, Jeanne Kunz
July 1, 2017
Portola Valley will not be the same without Wendi's deep and giving heart and her love of children and the environment. Indoor soccer was something that our children looked forward to in the Ormondale gymnasium when they were young. She always had words of encouragement and an appreciation for sportsmanship when working with the eager young athletes she mentored. We send our condolences to the family and to all who knew her.
June 25, 2017
Before there was Wonderwoman, there was Wendi. Before there was Greenwaste, there was Wendi hand sorting recycling at Ford Field; before indoor soccer and sync-swim there was. Wendi organinzing and coaching. BEfore a certain website... wizard Wendi. She chaired an array of events, Field Day,Founders day, town picnic. Zots to Tots, Blues&BarBQ,PV school 150th Anniversary,E.C.E, fund raisers. Talented, gifted, smart. Capable, astute--- her glorious spirit made her unique. SHe faced unbelievable challenges with such super strength. Too many talents for one person...she gave them to us...coach, Player,mentor, teacher, advisor and good friend. FRiends and Town are grateful. SHe now can enjoy, explore and engage in her new universe. GODSPEED
June 23, 2017
