On October 22nd, 2021, at the age of 62, the angels of heaven opened their gate for our beloved Wanda.

Wanda was born February 6th, 1959, in Whitehorse Yukon to parents Marion and John Wheelton. Her family lived in Elsa, Yukon, until the spring of 1966 when they returned to Whitehorse. Wanda was the second oldest of 3 siblings.
Wanda was predeceased by both her parents, Marion and John. Her spirit and memory will be cherished by her two daughters Emily and Julia, her sister Sandra (Gordon), Olivia and Nylan, Sister Hester (Greg), and her brother Philip, Courtney, Sophia, PJ, and Benjamin.

She graduated from Carleton University in 1980 with a BA. in Social Work. She also completed a degree in Education at UPEI in 1985. Wanda had the opportunity to live in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, where she worked as a Social worker between 1982 – 1984. After completing her teaching certification, Wanda moved to Iqaluit, Nunavut, in 1985 and worked as a Social Work Supervisor and Trainer until 1987. After that, she moved back to Whitehorse and worked as an instructor at Yukon College in the Social Work program between 1987 – 1989. Then in September of 1989, Wanda started her career as a teacher and counsellor in the catholic school system in Whitehorse. Working with children was her calling; she thoroughly enjoyed her 33-year career working with and teaching Yukon children. Wanda spent the last 22 years of her career teaching at Christ the King Elementary School. Although Wanda had many highlights throughout her career, she was most proud of developing and implementing the Rainbows Program. A program designed to support children of separated or divorced parents.

Wanda loved being a mother, and she was a kind, loving mother to her two daughters Emily and Julia. Her girls were her world, and she cherished every moment she had with them. Wanda always shared her love for nature as they spent many hours walking in the woods and on the beaches of PEI. She raised two strong, independent and beautiful girls in which she instilled the importance of community, hope and honesty, and living in the moment.

Wanda loved to cross country ski, bike and swim, and these sports were lifelong passions for her. She enjoyed being a part of the Haines to Haines bike race and did so for years; she ran in the Klondike road relay a few times and dipped her toes into a few sprint triathlon events. Being physically active was a part of who she was.

Perseverance was a strength of Wanda’s; she was a hard worker and loved setting personal goals and striving to reach them. It brought her great pleasure in completing a task in her career and personal life. In addition, Wanda was very spiritual and had a strong connection with “the sacred” the Catholic church was vital to her, as was the community of people who belonged to it. Her other notable strengths were resilience and leadership.

Wanda will forever live on in our hearts.

Memorial donations may be forwarded to the Children’s Wish Foundation of B.C. and Yukon.