She is predeceased by her husband Richard Kierstead (1989) and her parents, Ralph E. Newell (1999) and Geraldine Travi (2004).
She attended Gorham High School and graduated in 1968 and received her bachelor’s of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1971 (in fashion design). She graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in November 1974.
She was a retired police officer and crime analyst, and was presently an associate broker with the Maine Real Estate Network- Brunswick Office. She was a criminal analyst with the Brunswick Police Department from January 1999- July 2006. In 1998, Wendy was certified at the highest level by the Society of Certified Crime Analysts. Prior to this position, she was considered a pioneer as the first woman hire with the Portland Police Department where she was an officer from September 1975-1999, 15 years as a sworn officer on street patrol, and as a crime analyst for 11 years.
In addition, she acted as a mentor for many women in law enforcement. For six years, she worked providing statewide police intelligence while based in Androscoggin County. Wendy had extensive knowledge of weapons and published a manual on all weapons, how they are used and how they are concealed, which served as a valuable tool for law enforcement.
She received a commendatory memorandum in 1983 for her work with elderly citizens in Portland, a commendatory memorandum in 1984 for her heroic actions evacuating a resident from a burning building, and a personal letter of recognition from the Director of the FBI in 1976 for assistance in a bombing investigation.
Her delightful sense of humor, her optimism, her sweet concern for others will be so missed by her family and friends and associates: her two cherished brothers, Ralph E. Newell of Old Orchard, ME, and Robert A. Newell and his wife Trudy of Derry, NH; her precious stepchildren, Mrs. Laurie Joseph of Tuscon, AZ, and Matthew Kierstead of Green Valley, AZ; her beloved mother-inlaw, Ruth Kierstead of Wiscasset, ME; her brother-inlaw Remon Lapid and his wife Nancy of Chatham, NJ; her niece, Jessica Leonard of Tuscon, AZ; her nieces Emily Newell of Dexter, ME, and Ellen Newell of Wilkes Barre, PA; Kimberly (Newell) Gore of Windham, NH, Kelly (Newell) Halbach of Raymond, NH, and her nephew, Seth G. Newell of Manchester, NH; and many great nieces and great nephews.
Wendy, to quote some comments posted, was “incredibly dedicated and a nice person”; “went out of her way for others”; “I adored this woman! She was so kind and thoughtful and so intelligent.”
Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 7, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Stetson’s Funeral Home at 12 Federal St. in Brunswick. A time of remembrance will be held toward the end of the evening visiting hours. Burial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland.
Donations in her memory may be made to your local police department’s union.
Memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
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