Wendell T. Conway

Wendell Taylor Conway, 67, passed away on September 7, 2026, at Carolyn's House, Hospice of Central PA, in Harrisburg.

An outside observer might say that Wendell led an ordinary, reclusive life. Yet, those who took the time to know him have a different story to share. Wendell's life was neither ordinary nor reclusive. Far from it, his was the life of a reverist. Wendell dreamed magnificently. He thought deeply and profoundly. He cogitated about life, fantasy, and the unimagined. He was a lay philosopher of the highest order.

To showcase his embrace of fantasy, Wendell entertained his niece and nephew with a display of his powers of imagination. Wendell told his niece and nephew that he was a "Transformer." His niece and nephew told him to "prove it!" In that moment, Wendell channeled his power of metamorphosis and transformed into Optimus Prime!

Whatever Wendell dreamt, he believed. In this way, Wendell gave his family and loved ones the very thing they needed most ... the power to believe.

A more grounded example of his philosophy of "dreaming to believe" was his care and compassion for his sister who struggled with the loss of an unborn child. Wendell held his grief-stricken sister for hours, consoling her, reminding her repeatedly of the power of love, life, and dreaming. He was proven right years later.

In his last days, Wendell described himself as a simple person. He shared the following with his family surrounding him in the ICU: "I never wanted to be great; I just wanted to be me." Who was Wendell T. Conway? He was a shepherd who offered freely his essence to others. He gave comfort. He gave reverence. He gave hope. He gave joy. He gave thrills. Yes, simply, Wendell gave his humanity to all who knew him. Wendell's abundance of humanity was the manifestation of greatness, which remains.

Wendell is survived by his mother, Gwendolyn A. Conway, who currently resides in Carlisle and has provided Wendell a comfortable home, companionship, love, and care throughout his life; his older brother, Frederick Douglass Conway, Jr., who has split his time between Philadelphia and Carlisle to assist the family through significant health challenges this past year; his younger sister, Danielle M. Conway, who resides in Carlisle and, along with her older brother, spouse, and son, has provided primary care for the family during ongoing, significant health challenges; his brother-in-law in fact and brother-in-love in truth, Emmanuel Quainoo, who resides in Carlisle and has provided daily onsite care responsive to the entire family's basic, extended, and special needs; his nephew, Emmanuel K. Quainoo, III, who resides in Carlisle and has inspired Wendell and the entire family with his violin playing and endless knowledge of marine biology facts and figures; his niece, Jessica Conway, who resides in Oklahoma and has been Wendell's constant source of connection and compassion; his great-nephew, Tatum Wright, who resides in Oklahoma with his mother, Jessica, and has provided Wendell with endless entertainment with videos of his dancing, drumming, and baseball prowess; and his nephew, Frederick Conway III, who resides in Connecticut with his spouse, Monica Conway, both of whom showed Wendell love and dignity throughout his life.

An informal gathering to honor the life of our son, brother, uncle, and friend, Wendell T. Conway, will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 300 S. College Street, Carlisle, PA from 4PM-6PM.

In accordance with his wishes, Wendell will be cremated.

Please do not bring anything except yourself to the informal gathering. Wendell lived simply and asked that he be honored the same way in death. Your presence to comfort Wendell's family is gift enough.------------------------Notable interests, activities, hobbies, or passions: Wendell's passion was working with computers and information technology. Memorable moments and achievements: Wendell enjoyed teaching people how to troubleshoot their interactions with computers and technology. He was a teacher at heart.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.