Carlotta Johnston Fendig

Died peacefully May 21, 2018 in Washington, DC, of natural causes. Lolly was born February 27, 1923 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, the 6th of 8 children, to Mary Catherine Shaefer Johnston and Ernest Simpson Johnston. She was the devoted wife of Philip Franklin Fendig, and an ever caring mother to Carlotta Willkie (Wendell) of Darien, CT; Karen Hoffman (Karl) of Bon Aqua, TN; Charles Fendig (Maria) of Chevy Chase, MD; John Fendig (Jennifer) of Louisville, KY; and David Fendig (Jennifer) of Washington, DC. She had thirteen grandchildren.

Mrs. Fendig worked at the National Resources Planning Board and later at the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) from 1943-1945 serving in Washington, DC, Caserta, Italy and Salzburg, Austria.

After the war, she was appointed to the Strategic Services Unit of the War Department and eventually to the Central Intelligence Agency where she met her husband, Philip of Rensselaer, IN. They married in 1953 at the Church of St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church in Northwest. She accompanied her husband to postings in Tokyo, Japan; London, UK; Munich, Germany and The Hague, The Netherlands. She took up the responsibilities of a diplomat’s wife, became an experienced hostess and de facto emissary, and worked in a volunteer capacity at embassies and consulates, supporting fellow Foreign Service wives in adjusting to life overseas.

Her life abroad led to an abiding appreciation for foreign cultures and traditions including the Japanese celebration of Girl’s Day, for which she hosted neighborhood children parties to view her Japanese doll collection, and the British custom of serving and delighting in afternoon tea. Above all though, throughout her long stints overseas she retained a forceful dedication to her family stateside, cherishing her extended Johnston, Schaefer and Fendig families, holding dear each of her 28 nieces and nephews, and innumerable grandnieces and grandnephews.

Mrs. Fendig was patriotic, devout, a loyal friend to many, and an interested participant in life. She was a proud 3rd generation Washingtonian, a graduate of the Georgetown Visitation Convent and a parishioner at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Northwest. She volunteered at the Historical Society of Washington, DC, and was active in the Christ Child Society. She enjoyed all forms of art, especially the writings of the Bronte sisters and of Thomas Merton, musicals, opera, the music of Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey, and was a longtime subscriber to The Arena Stage.

Mrs. Fendig was preceded in death by her husband Philip Franklin Fendig (1980), her granddaughter Lindsay Johnston Davidson (1991), her sisters Mary (1977), Elizabeth (Betty) (2005), Ruth (1998), Dorothy (1998), Barbara (2006), Margaret (1942) and her brother Ernest (2014).

The family wishes to thank Sibley Memorial Hospital/Grand Oaks, Cheerway caregivers and the many relatives who provided caring support and visits to Lolly.

A viewing will be held on Monday, May 28 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 29 at 11:00 AM at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington, DC 20015. Burial to follow at Rock Creek Cemetary, Church Rd. & Webster St., NW Washington, DC 20011

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School and the Historical Society of Washington, DC.