Catherine Baldwin Wendell

Catherine Baldwin Wendell, 90, of Austin and previously of Gonzales, went to be with her eternal father and beloved husband, Robert, on Feb. 28, 2015.  Catie was born June 28, 1924 in Dallas to the late Dr. William S. Baldwin and Fanny Bye Rogers Baldwin. She married Robert E Wendell on Jan. 5, 1945 in Dallas.

Catie and Robert were members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont where she began her love of children’s pre-school education. She and Robert moved to Gonzales in 1977 and joined the First Methodist Church.  There she recognized the need for quality pre-school education and founded Happy House. She served there as director for 20 years before retiring.  She was also instrumental in “going global” by founding CayCay’s Happy House in Tembesi, South Africa. 

During her college years at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Catie was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.  At FUMC, Catie served as a member of the United Methodist Women and bible study group. She was also a member of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club of Gonzales.

Catie is preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Robert E Wendell.  She is survived by her son, Robert E. (Bob) Wendell Jr. and his wife Pamela Wendell of Austin; daughter, Constance W. Zehner and husband Warren B. Zehner of Houston, along with three grandchildren to whom she is affectionately known as CayCay: Meredith Torres and husband Miguel and great granddaughter, Sasha of Cypress, Scott Wendell of Austin and Adam Shirley of New York City. 

Catie’s family wishes to acknowledge the care and attention she received over the last several years beginning with the Romberg House of Gonzales to most recently, the Senior Care Stonebridge of Austin.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Gonzales at 426 St. Paul Street. Interment will be held at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. 

Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com.

Arrangements under the care of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home,6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas, 78749 (512) 892-1172.