Citizen Wendy

The Sailing Vessel Citizen Wendy is a 2006 373 Beneteau based out of Worton Creek Marina in Worton, Maryland. She’s named for my late wife, Wendy Anne Ball Ailor.

I used to razz Wendy and called her Good Citizen Wendy about her propensity to get involved whenever even the smallest need arose. She always tried to make things a little better for everyone whatever the circumstance. What I considered an inconvenience, she considered the most important thing at the moment that needed immediate attention. To Wendy there was very little that couldn’t be fixed with a big, beautiful smile, some gentle understanding, and a little assist from her.

She also loved sailing our first boat, Circuitous - a 1984 27’ Catalina - on the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Some of our best times as a family, and as empty nesters, were sailing Circuitous.

We lost Wendy to cancer on Good Friday, April 3, 2015. A year or so later I traded Circuitous in for the Beneteau which we named for our wonderful, beautiful, good Citizen Wendy.

A few years after losing Wendy I met Debbie. Debbie is an awesome sailor as well as an awesome all around person. Who else would always be whole heartedly enthusiastic about being first mate on a boat named after her boyfriend’s late wife? Together Debbie and I have trekked the Chesapeake, circumnavigated the Delmarva, sailed the Islands of the Ionian Sea, and are planning ever more adventurous voyages. If you see us out there, give us a wave and know that Debbie is at the helm and Wendy is in our hearts.