Wendy Anderson, the wife of Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson, died Monday night following a battle with cancer. She was 49.
Blake Anderson confirmed the news via Twitter on Tuesday, writing, "She passed as peacefully and as gracefully as you could ever hope just a few minutes before midnight with me laying right beside her."
FINAL WENDY UPDATE 8/20#NotFightingAlone ❤️❤️❤️ there’s a celebration in heaven today cause Wendy is Home pic.twitter.com/OYwh0fQLpU
— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) August 20, 2019
Wendy Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, and was cancer-free by the end of that year. It returned in fall of 2018, however, and spread throughout her body. She celebrated her 49th birthday just four days prior to her death.
PLEASE help me wish a BIG Happy Birthday to my best friend, my wife, & my love Wendy Leann Anderson... absolutely the toughness most amazing person I’ve ever known. So blessed to spend my life w you Babe @2day4fun ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vK8D1udqnA
— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) August 15, 2019
Blake Anderson took a leave of absence on Monday to be with his family. Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Duggan took over as interim coach and will continue to do so until Anderson's return.
Arkansas State opens the season against SMU on Aug. 31.
