Anne C. Wendling

She was born on August 21, 1948 in Mansfield, the daughter of the late Betsy Anne Cave and the late Bruce B. McGinty. She graduated from Mansfield Malabar High School in 1966 and received her LPN Nursing degree in 1972, her BSN Nursing degree in 1979 and her Juris Doctor of Law degree from Capital University in 1988.

She began her career in the field of nursing and received her law degree while working full-time and raising her family. Upon receiving her law degree she began practicing law for various law firms before starting her own private practice in 1993. She returned to nursing as an emergency room nurse manager at MedCentral Hospital in Mansfield from 2002 to 2006. She reopened her law practice in 2006 and continued to practice law until her death.

She was always a passionate and zealous advocate for her clients and their children as an attorney and was a gifted caretaker for every patient she cared for as a nurse. She was also a tireless advocate for many causes, especially children and animals. The word, “can’t” was not in her vocabulary. She threw herself into everything that came her way and never stopped making a difference. She was a Guardian Ad Litem for children and served on numerous boards, including: Planned Parenthood, Mansfield Art Center, Humane Society, Diversity Commission, YWCA, Domestic Violence Shelter, Raemelton Equestrian Center and Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. She served on the Women’s Policy and Research Commission, was an Adjunct Professor on the Ohio Police Academy, was Chair of the Family Law Committee and served as a Docent for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for over 20 years. Among her numerous commitments and activities, she even managed to run for the Ohio State Senate in 1994. One of her most significant accomplishments was receiving a 501c3 designation for her organization, Forgotten Felines of Richland County, just weeks before her death. Had it not been for her illness, she would have attained her pilot’s license.

Ms. Wendling is survived by two sons, Matthew Gramly of San Francisco, California, and Chris Gramly of Graton, California. Also surviving are sister, Elizabeth Catron of Mansfield, Ohio, brother, Pete McGinty of Columbus, Ohio, nieces Elizabeth Koch of Singapore, Lauren Hummel of Columbus, Ohio, Annie McGinty of Los Angeles, California, and nephew Alex McGinty of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving are step-mother, Janet McGinty of Nashville, Tennessee, half-sisters, Sarah Crabtree of Cincinnati, Ohio and Laura Bowen of Nashville, Tennessee, half-nephews, Luke and Charlie Crabtree of Cincinnati, Ohio and half-neices, Mimi, Lilly and Rose Mary Bowen of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by dozens of cats and kittens and her beloved dog, Maggie.

Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road, Ontario. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Grace Episcopal Church, 41 Bowman Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. Burial in Mansfield Memorial Park will be held at a later date.

Her request is that donations be made to Forgotten Felines of Richland County, in care of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road, Ontario, Ohio 44906.