Wendy L. Newman, 37, of Evergreen, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly August 3, 2012. Wendy found inspiration and peace in the outdoors, hiking often with her dogs and friends. A leader in the movement to connect kids to nature, she worked for Lt. Governor O’Brien to advance Colorado Kids Outdoors and with Colorado State Parks in many capacities including the development of Colorado’s award -winning State Comprehensive Outdoor Resource Recreation Plan (SCORRP) and was collaborating on the Peaks to Prairies: Children’s Forest Corridor.

Wendy fought breast cancer with courage. Then advocated, organized, and mentored with the aim of easing the struggle with cancer for others. She founded YES! Young Empowered Survivors and helped to establish the Check-Off program for Women’s Breast and Reproductive Cancers Fund. Wendy was smart, thoughtful, kind, tough, funny, loving and a true friend. She left the world a better place and is dearly missed.

A celebration of Wendy’s life will be held Friday, August 17th, noon – 3 PM at the Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen, CO 80439. Memorial contributions can be made to Sense of Security an organization that works to offset financial hardships related to cancer treatment. Donate at www.senseofsecurity.org or 1385 S. Colorado Blvd. Building A, Suite 302, Denver, Colorado 80222

A graduate of Whitehall High School in Columbus, Ohio, she was also a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a degree in natural resources. She was born in Las Vegas, NV and was predeceased by her father, Donald O. Newman. She is survived by her mother, Margaret (Robert) Muncie of Ohio; her siblings, Chris Newman of Ohio, Neil (Ellen) Newman of Ohio, Ginny (Ronnie) Howard of Ohio, Raymond (Susan) Dodd of Utah; and many loving friends.