Wendy K. (Poulos) Fournier

Wendy K. (Poulos) Fournier, of Waltham, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at her family home in West Harwich following a period of declining health. She was 65.

Born in Boston on May 29, 1961, she was the daughter of Ann (Oakes) Poulos of Needham and the late Nicholas P. Poulos. Raised in Needham, she graduated from Needham High and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She later attended Framingham State Teacher’s College where she earned a master’s degree in education.

Her genuine kindness and remarkable energy were contagious. She excelled at being a beloved art teacher the Plympton School in Waltham where she loved helping children express themselves using creativity. Wendy was so proud to reintroduce a city-wide initiative at the Waltham Public Library showcasing works of art by students from the kindergarten classes all the way through seniors in high school. She also was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Wendy’s gifts went beyond the classroom; she was a lifelong dancer and was part of many dance studios and projects including Body Language Dancers of Boston, Jeannette Neill Dance Studio in Boston, and of course, the Dancing with the Waltham Stars where she was a much-loved choreographer. In addition, she served on the board of directors for Boston Youth Moves for a number of years.

She was a prolific reader and enjoyed music, especially the works of The Who and other rock artists. Wendy made countless wonderful memories with her family each summer on Cape Cod, where she was a local celebrity and affectionately known as the “Ambassador of Earle Road Beach”. She also enjoyed being an active member of the Allen Harbor Yacht Club and the many events including Yoga on the Lawn led by Julie and attending with other dear friends. Her father was one of the early members of the club and she enjoyed many a summer on their boat and day trips to Nantucket.

Wendy surely had many gifts, but her true vocation was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Her family meant the world to her and nothing brought more joy to her life than spending time with them.

Wendy leaves her beloved husband, Joseph F. Fournier, Jr.; her children, Amanda M. Glover (Travis) of Littleton and Joseph N. Fournier (Mackenzie) of Harvard; her grandson, Walter J. Fournier; her mother, Ann Poulos of Needham; her brother Peter Poulos (Christine) of Norwood; her sister-in-law Barbara Bourque (Peter) of Waltham; and her nieces and nephews, Nicholas P. Poulos, Meghan Tyler (Ryan), and Michael Bourque (Mallia).

Family and friends will honor and remember Wendy's life by gathering for an Afternoon Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, July 26th from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at https://www.stjude.org/,