Nadine “Wendy” Carder, 91 of Columbus, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10th, 2013. She was a resident of Tryon Estates.

Mrs. Carder was born in Marysville, Kan. on June 21, 1922.

She was the only child of John Walter Wendele and Faye Hodges Wendele. She was raised in St. Louis, Mo. and attended Beaumont High School and later Washington University in St. Louis. As a young woman she never cared much for her given names, instead choosing the nickname “Wendy” derived from her maiden name.

In 1942, at the start of World War II, she eloped during a visit with her boyfriend and married William Thomas Bowcott in Yuma, Ariz. She and her husband lived in Frontenac, Mo. in suburban St. Louis where they established a family.

She was very active in local politics and served as district alumni advisor for her sorority Alpha Chi Omega. Mr. Bowcott passed away in 1962. As a single mother of two, Mrs. Carder realized she needed to return to the workforce and complete her education.

She received her bachelor of arts from Washington University in 1966 and her graduate degree in Christian education from the Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. She had a very successful career, first as director of Christian education at Salem Methodist Church in Ladue, Mo. and later as an elementary school teacher for the Parkway School District.

In 1966, she married Homer C. Carder Jr. and together they raised their extended family. In 1983 Mrs. Carder retired and they moved from St. Louis to Tryon, where they built a home in Red Fox Country Club adjacent to the 13th green.

She had a very active retirement which included bridge club, gardening, serving as a mediator for the courts, traveling extensively around the world and enjoying gourmet cooking.

She was trained in the culinary arts at world-renown cooking schools and she and her husband loved to entertain. They hosted many parties and events focusing on their cooking and fine wines.

Mrs. Carder is survived by two sons, Greg Bowcott of San Diego, Calif. and Randy Bowcott of Waukegan, Ill.; stepson, Stephen Carder of South Pasadena, Fla.; three grandsons, one granddaughter, and two great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands and stepdaughter Carolyn Carder.

There will be a celebration of Wendy Carder’s life on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at Tryon Estates in Columbus, with a reception immediately following.

Internment services will be private.

The family suggests that memorial tributes be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Dr., Columbus, NC 28722 or The Congregational Church UCC, 210 Melrose Ave., Tryon, NC 28782.

An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcFarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel