Wendy Elaine Osteyee was born Sept. 4, 1952 in Queens, NY.  She died peacefully at home on June 4, 2021 in Harleysville, PA.

When she was still a child the family moved to Manhattan.  Wendy attended the prestigious Hunter College High school and then the High School of Music and Art. Her instrument was clarinet.   She attended the State University of New York, Binghamton during the 1970's.  There she double majored earning a BA in music performance and French.  She also played in the Tri-Cities Opera Company orchestra.  In 1974 she was accepted in the summer orchestra program in Montreux, Switzerland.  Then she returned to Binghamton to complete a  Masters of Arts in Music theory in 1977.

After college she performed for the New York woodwind octet, "The Hoffmeister Winds".   While in New York, Wendy taught music at a small private school in New Jersey.   She directed Gilbert and Sullivan shows and started a school band program.

In 1978 Wendy met her future husband, David Christensen.  They married in 1979 and moved to Philadelphia where David attended the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia. During these years Wendy taught Math and French in local private schools.  She also took an intensive computer programming course in New York City, later taking an IT job in Valley Forge, PA.

After David received his Master of Divinity degree they moved to Doylestown, bought a house and had their greatest joys, their two daughters, Hilary and Erica.

When the family moved to Telford, PA Wendy completed a Masters in Education degree and was certified to teach in PA.   Wendy taught elementary music at Oak Ridge Elementary in Harleysville for 23 years.  In her teaching career Wendy wrote and published several choral works for elementary students in the Journal "Music K-8".  About her work, Wendy said, "I like to think I recognized a need and set about fulfilling it in my own unique way."  She composed children's choral music for seasons and themes, such as, Halloween, Mother's day, Chinese New Year, Earth day, and Character Development.   In 1994 the family moved to Harleysville.

Wendy played clarinet in the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra for 37 years.  Her last concert with the BCSO featured Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, finishing her orchestral career on a highlight.

In addition to music Wendy was a talented visual artist working in watercolor, acrylic paint, drawing, and wire sculpture.  She regularly made watercolor booklets that told stories about family vacation adventures.  After retirement she spent more time painting.  She also made trips to Canada and New England to research her French heritage.

On May 15, 2020 Wendy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Knowing time was short, she continued to be active and creative.  Wendy said, "If I think about what I have produced in a lifetime I would say: two wonderful daughters, a loving home, some pretty good moments of clarinet music, some original songs, teaching to inspire children, some painting of a certain appeal, and the writing and example of a thoughtful person.  I hope I added more to the world than I took.  That is my legacy."

Wendy is survived by her husband David, daughters Hilary and Erica, and sister Carol.

Condolences may be sent to: Dbc267@comcast.net

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 AM at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Rd., Harleysville, PA 19438.  Family will receive friends from 10-11 AM prior to the service.  Interment is private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:  Bucks County Symphony, P.O. Box 500, Doylestown, PA  18901  https://www.buckscountysymphony.org