Wendy Louise Babcox died at home in Tampa, Florida on March 23, 2024 from complications
of breast cancer. She was born October 26, 1963 in Windsor, Berkshire, UK to John David
Pratt and Carole Hare, nee Dobner. Growing up, her family resided in the counties of Cornwall,
Devon, Norfolk and Gloucestershire. Before permanently moving to the U.S., she resided near
Wokingham, Berkshire where she held the title of Miss Wokingham in the early 1980’s.
Wendy received a Batchelor’s degree from University of Colorado, Boulder and an MFA from
University of Florida in Gainesville. Wendy taught Photography and Art at Western Michigan
University in Kalamazoo, Michigan before joining the faculty at University of South Florida in
Tampa as a tenured professor, where she taught from 2003 until her death in 2024.
As an individual artist and with artist collective 6+, Wendy traveled several times to Palestine.
Some of their most transformative work was done at Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem
working with young women in storytelling workshops. Wendy also created a suite of
photogravures of the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. Other performative
work includes involvement with women’s wresting groups KPOWW! and Slapdown. Some of
Wendy’s recent cyanotypes will be included in the 50th anniversary exhibition at MoCA
Arlington in Virginia.
Wendy was a light in this world and was unfailingly generous with that light. An artist,
performer, teacher, student, wife, friend, daughter, sister, aunt, stepmother and mentor – Wendy
touched all of us with her contagious enthusiasm, joy and kindness. Multi-talented, stylish and
cool – she shared her energy and attention so generously with so many. Her beloved, fierce
spirit will be missed.
Wendy leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life her husband Timothy Baker,
stepdaughter Madeline Baker, brothers William and Roger Pratt, sister Karen Hare, stepmother
Marie Price, stepsister Sarah Sullivan, niece and nephews Louis Pratt, Josh Hare and Holly
Hare and many, many friends.
There will be a burial ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery, 585 W. Indiana Ave. Tampa on May 11
at 10:00 AM and a Celebration of Life May 11 beginning 6:00 PM at the Kress Building, 1624 E.
7th Ave. Tampa
in lieu of flowers please consider donating: https://giving.usf.edu/online/gift/f/230099/?imo=Wendy Babcox
