Wendy Lee Silverman (Brownell), of Needham, Massachusetts, and formerly of Weston and Wellesley, passed away after a lengthy illness on March 4, 2025, at the age of 76.  She battled her illness the way she lived her life – with admirable courage, a strong spirit, a deft touch of humor, and immeasurable grace.

Born on May 26, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, Wendy was the daughter of the late Dr. Gordon Lee Brownell and Catherine (Wittenberg) Brownell.

Wendy is deeply missed by her husband of 55 years Lawrence, her daughter Melissa Meier and husband Peter of Dana Point, CA, her son Todd of Watertown, her son Joshua and wife Laura of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and her four beloved grandchildren Addy, Eli, Ethan, and Sadie. Wendy is also survived by her brothers David Brownell and James Brownell, and was predeceased by her brother Peter Brownell.  She also leaves behind numerous close friends with whom she had many fond memories of shared meals and adventures. Deeply compassionate and fiercely loyal, a friend of Wendy's was quite often a friend for life.

Wendy graduated from Weston High School and received a bachelor's degree in English from Boston University.  She later received her master's degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from Azusa Pacific University. As a young adult, Wendy moved to Southern California, started a family and worked as a counselor to marginalized populations.  She later moved back home to Massachusetts and worked at Babson College for nearly three decades in a variety of roles, including as the Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations, prior to her retirement in 2015.   Wendy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, as well as reading, traveling all over the world, rooting for the Red Sox, and adopting a series of small and often misfit dogs, in particular her most recent beloved furry companion, Lizzie.

Visitation hours will be held from 2 – 5 pm on Sunday March 9, 2025 at the Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington Street, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.  A small memorial service with family and friends will be held on Monday, March 10th at 10 am at the Burke Funeral Home with interment to immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Wendy's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the MSPCA, or the animal shelter of your choice.  May her memory bring peace and comfort to all who knew her.