Wendy Hanna Bicknell

Wendy Hanna Bicknell was a caring dog mom, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. She left us suddenly on May 22, 2024, at age 81. She was born to Kate Benedict Hanna Bicknell and Warren Bicknell, Jr. on December 28, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. Wendy attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio; Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and Briarcliff Junior College in Briarcliff Manor, New York. She lived in Sausalito, California for many years before moving to her family’s beloved quail hunting plantation, Sinkola, in Thomasville, Georgia. Wendy has been a stalwart steward of the 5th generation family hunting plantation and was proud to preserve it for future generations.

Retriever Field Trials were one of Wendy’s passions for over 40 years. She trained with her dogs regularly and loved to compete with them. She enjoyed great success with her beloved Oly, Chester, Fire, Turbo and Rush who all became Field Champions. Chester and Turbo were finalists in the National Championship. Wendy made friends across the country in the trial game and helped Thomasville became the winter dog training mecca for countless retriever enthusiasts. Wendy was also a culinary enthusiast. She recently told the family that she “lived to eat, while they eat to live.” Wendy was a passionate philanthropist serving as a Trustee for the Cherokee Foundation of Thomasville, Georgia and Bicknell Fund of Cleveland, Ohio; on the Endowment Board for the Thomasville Humane Society; and as Trustee and Chairman for Archbold’s Health Services Board.

She is survived by her sister Kate Bicknell Luzius and her brother Warren Bicknell III (Elizabeth) both of Thomasville, Georgia. Nephews and nieces: Peter Weddell Kirkham of Renton, Washington, Warren Gates Kirkham (Brandy) of Thomasville, Georgia, Samantha Kirkham Crowley (Amos) of Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah Elizabeth Bicknell of Los Angeles, California, and Constance Hardin Bicknell (Mike Holt) of Thomasville, Georgia. Great-nephews and nieces: Parker Crowley, Brooks Crowley, Campbell Crowley, Natalie Crowley, Lexi Kirkham, Avery Kirkham, Isabelle Kirkham, Cooper Kirkham, and Miller Holt. She is proceeded in death by her father, Warren Bicknell, Jr., mother, Kate Hanna Bicknell, sister, Constance Bicknell Reynolds, and her cherished dogs – Truckee, Hustler, Saki, Oly, Crew, Chester, Brio, Fire, Turbo and Sprout.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Sinkola Plantation’s Picnic House in Thomasville, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Thomasville Humane Society.