Help Continue Wendilyn's Legacy for Jonathan

Jonathan and Wendilyn Emrys have been married for almost 40 years. Their love is a love that is so deep, abiding and beautiful that any of us would be lucky to have such a relationship.

Jonathan is an author; writer of novels, screenplays, stage plays, short stories and anything he can dream. For work, he was a computer analyst in the corporate world making a respectable wage. Several years ago, Jonathan was involved in a serious traffic collision that left him with two traumatic brain injuries that resulted in numerous medical/neurological issues. In June 2022, Jonathan was diagnosed with early onset Altzheimers. Consequently, Jonathan needed and still needs help with everyday tasks and functions. He cannot live alone without assistance.

Wendilyn who was described by one of her good friends as “a strong, compassionate, courageous woman, wife and rescuer of feral cats who had a deep love and academic mind for mythology,” was there every step of the way to help Jonathan. She did not abandon him nor institutionalize him. She cared and provided for him and insured that he was able to get a disability award and later early Social Security. However, that Social Security income did not and does not pay for even the basics of living let alone all of his various extra needs.

Unfortunately, in late 2022, Wendilyn was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She underwent radical surgery and received treatments for almost 2 years. She was seeing progress reducing the metastasized tumors, particularly in her brain. Sadly, on June 11, 2024, Wendilyn passed away due to complications of the metastasized breast cancer. In anticipation of what Wendilyn considered would be a much shortened lifespan, she established the Jonathan Emrys Revocable Special Needs Trust and insured in her will that it would be funded with her personal property estate. However, over the last several years, that estate has diminished due to her inability to work or bring in extra funds because of the cancer treatments.

I am Betty Kelepecz, Jonathan's sister. Wendilyn designated me as the successor trustee for the Jonathan Emrys Revocable Special Needs Trust. Jonathan’s nephew, Matt Turek, is helping organize this fundraiser. I know that many of you loved, respected, and revered Jonathan and Wendilyn and would like to demonstrate that love in some way. Wendilyn is being cremated on Friday, June 28, 2024, in a small family witnessed cremation. It was her wish that her ashes be taken to the historical and mythological sites in Greece she so passionately loved. Since it is a cremation, in lieu of flowers or any other tangible memorial, please consider Wendilyn’s wishes to provide for the continued support of the man she so deeply loved. Monetary donations can be made to the Jonathan Emrys Revocable Special Needs Trust through this website.

If you have known Jonathan & Wendilyn, you know what an impact they made on you and your life. While there is no obligation to do so, if you would like to donate to this trust to help Jonathan continue to be cared for beyond what the government can provide, I am sure that Wendilyn would greatly appreciate the help you are providing to Jonathan, the man she loved so very much. Thank you for being their friends and for helping during this difficult time.

Please feel free to share this post with as many people as possible. Every donation no matter the amount will help tremendously with Jonathan’s continued special needs and care.