Wendy Zalutsky

As in life, so is death. Thus, Wendy Rose Zalutsky, our beloved sister, mother and aunt, was reluctantly relinquished into death by her loved ones on April 19, 2012, after a short illness.

She was born to Morris and Rhoda Zalutsky on April 2, 1952 in Glens Falls, N.Y., the third of four sisters. Although Wendy attended college in Boston and Denver, the draw of the Rockies took her first to Oak Creek, Colo., and then to northwest Montana, where she lived since the 1970s.

Wendy married Jim Coberly in Montana, and they had a son, Keagan in 1980. Wendy worked as a banquet captain at Grouse Mountain Lodge from1986 until her death, and she will be missed by her Grouse “family.”

In September, 2010, Wendy met and subsequently fell in love with Dan Russum, her champion ‘till the end.

Everyone who knew Wendy will remember her big heart, spirit and courage that belied her small stature. She loved to ski, paddle on Stillwater Lake, dance and walk her giant dog, Casey. Her friends and family will miss Wendy’s cooking and her homemade wine.

She is survived by her son, Keagan Coberly of Uttila, Honduras; sisters, Bonnie (Steve) Lapham of Hebron, N.Y., Linda Zalutsky of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Nancy Zalutsky of Helena; nieces, Kate Lapham of Bishkek, Kirghizstan and Amy Lapham of Hebron, N.Y.; nephew, Sean (Jolanda) and great-nephew, Damien Cummings of Lolo; and special friend and significant other, Dan Russum of Post Falls, Idaho.

A memorial will be held later at a time to be announced at Wendy’s home near Olney.