Winifred R. Otten's Obituary
Winifred “Wendy” Otten, age 84, passed away on April 18, 2026, in Leesburg, Florida.
Born on March 21, 1942, in Washington, D.C., Wendy was the daughter of the late Maggie Thorne and Winston Thorne. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Otten, and her sister, Kathy Bowman.
Wendy is survived by her children: Dick Shaner (Donna Shaner), Dee Harding, and Doug Shaner (Laura Dorsey-Shaner); and her stepchildren: Patty Hilton (Chad Hilton), Christine Conley (Milton Conley), and Shelly Balkan (Evan Balkan). She is also survived by her brother, Winston Thorne, and her sister, Susan Mackintire. She was a proud grandmother to Josh Shaner, David Shaner, Daniel Shaner, John Shaner, Hannah Capaldo, Sarah Shaner, Steven Shaner, Joey Shaner, Allison Shaner, Eric Shaner, Marissa Budulanovic, Michael Harding, Amelia Balkan, and Molly Balkan. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Teagan Budulanovic, Barrett Budulanovic, Zander Budulanovic, Kaylie Harding, Matthew Harding, and Liliana Shaner.
Wendy dedicated her entire professional career to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where she began as a secretary and advanced to the role of procurement specialist. She was respected for her strong work ethic, determination, and remarkable ability to get things done.
Outside of her career, Wendy found joy in gardening, her favorite pastime, and also enjoyed painting, ballroom dancing, sewing, decorating, cooking, reading, and walking. She will be remembered for her drive, resilience, and the care she showed to her family.
A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Lasting Tributes Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, Maryland.
Wendy’s love and legacy live on through her family and all who knew her.
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