DonnFendler.com

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

We were saddened to learn that Donn Fendler’s beloved wife of 56 years passed away January 26, 2009 following a six week illness. Ree Fendler was a wonderful lady and our thoughts are with Donn and his family.

 

Thousands of teachers and children in Maine and across the nation know Donn’s legendary story “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” For decades he has visited schoolchildren and written countless letters to them, always encouraging children to read and inspiring them with his story of surviving nine days in the wilderness of Baxter State Park when he was twelve.  His dear wife offered a lifetime of support as he so willingly gave freely of his time to Maine schools these many years.

 

Letters and cards can be mailed to Donn at his winter home:

 

Lt. Col. Donn Fendler
1770 Theresa Avenue
Clarksville, TN    37040

 

Below is a recent photograph of the Fendlers at their Newport home in July 2008. Mrs. Fendler’s obituary from the Bangor Daily News follows with information about memorial contributions. Online condolences can be left at a special guest book set up for the family at http://www.legacy.com/BangorNews/Obituaries.asp . Use the search tool to locate the Guest Book.

 

 

John Thurlow

 

 

MARYROSE K. FENDLER CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. Maryrose K. Fendler died Jan. 26, 2009, at Gateway Medical Center, Clarksville, Tenn. Daughter of Arthur F. Connolly and Maryrose K. Connolly, she was born in Morristown, N.J., and resided in the Basking Ridge, N.J., area. She was a 1944 graduate of St. Gabriels High School, New Rochelle, N.J. Prior to moving to the Clarksville, Tenn., area she resided in Westchester County, N.Y., and various locations in Europe, Asia and the United States. She enjoyed many summers in Newport was a member of St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Lt. Col. Donn C. Fendler, retired; daughters, Bridget Fendler of Clarksville, Tenn., Judith King of Cary, N.C., and Joan Bedwell of Guthrie, Ky.; son, Dennis Fendler of Payson, Ariz.; and six grandchildren. Her siblings include, Joan LaPorte of Leesburg, Fla., Katherine Connolly of Centerville, Mass., and Peter K. Connolly of New Haven, Mo. Mrs. Fendler was predeceased by her parents; and siblings, Kevin Connolly, Patrice Moore and Agnes Connolly. The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 709 Franklin St., Clarksville, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude Shrine, 212 West Saratoga St., Baltimore, MD 21201-1896.