Wendy Anne DeRoux

Wendy Anne Trosper DeRoux

March 23, 1941 – April 12, 2019

With deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Wendy Anne Trosper DeRoux on Friday, April 12, 2019 in Seattle, WA. She died peacefully of natural causes in her sleep.   Friday April 12th would have been her husbands 80th birthday.

The daughter of Martha and J.W. Trosper, Wendy grew up surrounded by the magnificent beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Wendy spent her childhood summers boating on the Salish Sea, swimming in Lake Washington, and winters skiing in the Cascade Mountains.   She summited Mt. St. Helens with her father and shared her mother’s love of gardening.   She loved going for hikes and playing tennis.  She collected rare Rhododendrons, and other plants, a passion she carried on from her Mother.

Wendy grew up in the Seward Park neighborhood in Seattle.  She attended St. Nicholas School and Mills College in California where she obtained a B.A. in Art Crafts in 1963. She returned to Seattle to obtain her teaching certificate from the University of Washington in 1964.  She spent several years teaching art to local students before settling down and starting a family.   In 1968, Wendy Married Rodger F. DeRoux and they raised 3 children in the Madison Park neighborhood.

Wendy loved creating art and art would become a significant part of her entire life.  She enjoyed teaching neighborhood kids how to throw pots, and was often involved in some artistic project, which would benefit friends or family.   She chose to create something unique as a gift versus buying something. Many of her friends received such gifts on special occasions or Birthdays.   They were often well made, a testament to her patience and experience as a life-long craftsperson.

In 1999, Wendy produced a well-attended Art show featuring 40 years of her lifetime work. Many friends and family attended.  Work spanning all forms and media were present, many influenced by her different stages of life and experiences.  Her work has been featured in numerous publications and in various Art Galleries such as the Bellevue Art Museum and the Henry Art Gallery.

She loved annual trips to Mt. Rainier for our family picnic.  She was able to make these trips up until the last few years of her life.  Other favorite spots were Deception Pass where she spent a lot of time as a child, and being outside in the Mountains or her garden.  

Later in life, she became a Grandparent to 7 wonderful children whom she adored.   After the passing of her husband in 2014, Wendy moved into the Aegis community at the top of Madison Street where she lived for the last 4 and ½ years.   She thrived there.

We remember Wendy most for her strong calm nature, her creative flare, her kind gentle heart, and for the years she spent listening and encouraging us to follow our hearts and chase our dreams.  We remember her for allowing us to be the individuals we were born to be; always accepting.  We remember the sacrifices she made for our family, the gifts she passed down to us, and her sweet caring smile.

Wendy was a member of the Northwest Designer’s Craftsmen, American Craft Council, and Seattle Tennis Club.

Wendy is preceded in death by her Husband of 46 years, Rodger F. DeRoux, her Mother and Father Martha and J.W. Trosper, her nephew Ken Miller.

She is survived by her 3 children and their spouses: Andie, Jeffrey (Angelique), Stephen (Heather), 7 Grandchildren, her sister Catherine Miller, her niece Sheri Miller and nephew Michael Miller and their families.

The family would like to thank the staff of Aegis Living (Aegis on Madison) for the outstanding care Wendy received.  At Wendy’s request, there will be no memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Wendy's name to www.nwdesignercraftsmen.org

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