Hundreds Attend Service To Remember Life Of Wendi Winters

RadioOnFire.com - Family, friends and colleagues gathered Saturday to remember the life of Wendi Winters.

The memorial for Winters began at noon at the Maryland Hall for the Creative in Annapolis to honor the life of a mother, friend, colleague and patriot.

Winters was an award-winning journalist who covered community news for The Capital, where she had worked since 2002. Her children described her as a person who always fought for the community, even up until the very end.

"She died fighting for what she believed in. My mom is an American hero," said Phoenix Geimer, Winters' son. "My mom picked up her trash can and her recycling bin and she charged at the coward who shot her in the chest as she rushed him, slowing him down and giving the police time to arrive, doubtlessly saving lives. We are thankful for how amazingly quickly the police arrived, but nothing could be fast enough for her or her co-workers. In that instant of extraordinary courage, she gave her heart, she gave her last breath, and she gave her final 8 pints of blood for the defense of the free press and the defense of her family at The Capital in Annapolis."

"My mother's life has been stolen from us. My mother's life has been stolen from all of us," said Leigh Geimer, Winters' daughter.

Winters was among five Capital Gazette employees killed in a mass shooting June 28 at the newspaper's offices in Annapolis.

"I never thought a tiny city like Annapolis would command the nation's attention. I never thought that we would lose Wendi Winters," said Dajuan Gay.

"She didn't have the official training. She didn't have the official background, but she had humanity, and that's what she delivered to the paper every day," said Steve Gun, a former Capital Gazette editor.

"My world, our world will be infinitely smaller. I'm glad Wendi got to be a part of it. I'm glad to call her my friend," said Rick Hutzell, a Capital Gazette editor.

The Rev. John Crestwell gave the eulogy and told the crowd to spread love.

"Some of us, too many of us, well, it's just another violent day in America. No, we have to reject cynicism. We cannot become callous and desensitized in this culture of mass shootings," Crestwell said. "Love and all of its expressions and manifestations. Be the change. Wendi would expect that, and then she would say, 'Stop whining and go do something.'"

Winters' children said to help honor her memory.

"March for causes you believe in. Talk to legislators about things that are important to you, and don't forget to vote, and most importantly don't forget to ask yourself, 'What would Wendi do?'" Leigh Geimer said.




Source WBAL