Mary Stender Obituary

Mary Ann Webb Stender passed away on April 25, 2016, and heaven gained a beautiful angel. Born December 12, 1928, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina to the late Emily Kirk Moore and Malcolm Syfan Webb, "Molly" was the wife of the love of her life, her husband of 36 years, Herbert Roland Stender Jr.
In many ways, Molly was born to be a mother. Of all of her many accomplishments, surely the most important to her were her children and grandchildren. She was loved and adored by her five children: Mary Ann Stender Bagwell (Benson), Herbert Roland "Jock" Stender III (Barbara), Alice Stender Powell (Beau), Edward Kirk "Ned" Stender and Philip Couturier Stender.
She was fun-loving "Granny" to eleven grandchildren: Eliza Kirk Bagwell, Benson Elliott Bagwell (Natalia), Alicia Karesh Stender, Loren Roland Stender, Roy Alexander Powell III, Anna Hartley Powell Zay (Vidar), Philip Couturier Powell, Mary Ann Powell "Molly" Agostino (Michael), Caroline Stender Bettencourt (Bradford), Sarah Rice Stender, Elizabeth Grimball Stender, and two great grandchildren: Scarlett Liliana Randolph and George Gaillard Bettencourt.
A graduate of Memminger High School, Molly attended the College of Charleston and was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Quietly creative and endowed with incredible organizational skills, Molly had a do-it-yourself talent that enhanced the world around her with beauty. She had an aptitude and desire to make everything personal, unique and memorable. Successful, passionate and masterful in needlework, Molly could sew almost anything. A cook extraordinaire, she cheerfully delighted in teaching children to "play" in her tiny kitchen. She loved entertaining, traveling through Europe and especially enjoyed her garden and living on Sullivan's Island, where the family had horses that the children rode and - raced - on the beach "in the good old days."
Molly will always be remembered for her warm smile and passion for her church and family. Above all, she had deep and abiding love of God. A dedicated and active member of St. Philip's Church, she faithfully served for many years as a Sunday school teacher, worked on the Altar Guild and was active for many years with the Kairos Prison Ministry.
Molly was predeceased by her husband Herbert Roland Stender Jr., grandson, Roy Alexander Powell, III, and her siblings William Gatewood "Bill" Webb, Emily Webb Goldberg and Edward Kirk Moore "Ned" Webb.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend the funeral service at noon, Friday, April 29, at St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street, Charleston, South Carolina. The Rite of Burial will follow at the churchyard. The family will receive friends following the service in the St. Philip's Church parish house.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 28, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 at J. Henry Shuhr Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Alzheimer's Association South Carolina, 2090 Executive Hall Rd., Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407.
Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home, 232 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC.