We at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing ask that you hold us close to your heart as we mourn the deaths of two clinicians who dedicated their careers to healing people in their community.
Judy Bowes died Friday, August 30, in Arizona. Judy worked closely with our founder, the Reverend Bill Wendt from the mid-80’s to late 90’s when the Wendt Center was called the St. Francis Center. Judy developed and led our “Friends Program” for volunteers. At the Center, Judy pioneered our work helping clients living with HIV and those dying from AIDS related illnesses. Following her work as a home-based therapist for the Center, Judy served as our Clinical Director. Her words live on in “Traveling Companions: An Oral History of St. Francis Center.” The Wendt Center will be forever indebted to Judy for her hard work and groundbreaking dedication to dying individuals and their loved ones.
Dr. Philip Lucas died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 1. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Lucas worked with the Wendt Center in a number of capacities. He served as the clinician supporting the U.S. Postal Service during the anthrax attacks, as a volunteer therapist at Camp Forget-Me-Not, on our Crisis Response Team, and as part of the Wendt Center’s RECOVER team at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In the latter role, he guided people through one of the worst experiences of their lives—the identification of a loved one who has died. Dr. Lucas also served as an adjunct faculty member at Howard University and worked to connect University students to the Center for internships and volunteer opportunities. Dr. Lucas played many roles and had many talents. We will remember him for his special gift to build bridges between people, communities, and institutions. To those of us who knew him, Philip was a bright light, with his massive smile and booming laugh. Philip, it was an honor to work with you and a privilege to call you friend. Your Wendt Center family will forever carry you in our hearts.
Sincerely,
