Wendy Everham, 69, of Bath died on January 10, following a year-long struggle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). She was born July 12, 1947 in Berrien Springs, Michigan, the daughter of Helen and Warren Beach. She spent most of her life in Illinois before moving to Bath with her husband, Bill. They fully embraced and loved their new community. Wendy became a certified Maine master naturalist and joined the Bath forestry commission. She also helped to organize informational community forums on Social Security and volunteered at her election precinct.

A published American history scholar, she also had other long-standing passions including sustainable agriculture and land conservation. She was most at home tending her meadow or feeding her curiosity. She loved her family and was intensely proud of her three nieces.

She received her B.A. and M.A. in history from the University of Illinois. During a period when she and Bill owned a farm in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Wendy worked as an inspector for an organic farming certification agency. She renovated multiple houses and took pride in restoring an 1857 Wisconsin farmhouse to its original glory. When she and Bill built their small house in Bath it was featured in Fine Homebuilding magazine as a cutting-edge energy efficient house that was also praised for its design.

Her courage was not limited to the way she faced death, but was manifested in a myriad of ways throughout her life. She was never afraid to challenge the status quo, whether it was in the service of protecting the natural world she loved or speaking up against injustice. She worked hard to bring about the change that she desired to see. While she would have liked more time, she accepted death as a cycle of nature. She started taking her walks in cemeteries to acclimate herself to the reality facing her, and even commissioned a local carpenter friend to build her coffin. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and her passionate spirit.

She is survived by Bill, her loving husband of 47 years; her brothers Wayne Beach (Marcia) of Phippsburg, and Warren Beach (Nancy) of Illinois; three nieces, Addie Beach, Johanna Beach, and Samantha Beach; and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Patten Free Library, Development Office, 33 Summer St., Bath ME 04530, or online at www.patten.lib.me.us/support.