Kathleen Felder Bodenheimer

Kathleen "Kay" Felder Bodenheimer, a beloved wife and mother, died Friday, November 11, 2022.

Born April 9, 1934, in Kingstree, SC, she is survived by: daughter Beth Dworjanyn (fiancé Rob Lamberts), daughter Melissa McInnis (Jonathan); four grandchildren: Jack and Nick Dworjanyn and Aidan and Kate McInnis; all of Columbia, SC, as well as many dear members of her extended family.

She is predeceased by her parents, James H and Kathleen G Felder of Kingstree, SC, husband John Travis Bodenheimer of Aiken, SC, son John Travis Bodenheimer II of Burke, VA, niece Anne Newton of Greenville, SC, and sister Betty Ann Newton of Columbia, SC.

Kay attended Kingstree High School and graduated in 1952. She completed her undergraduate degree at Winthrop College in 1956 in Music, where she was Vice President of the Wesley Foundation and Secretary for Choir II. Kay later earned her Master's in English Education from the University of South Carolina. She was a certified teacher in language arts, English, science, and music education. In a career spanning 26 years in the public schools of Beaufort, Richland, and Aiken counties, Kay taught for 18 years at Kennedy Middle School and five years at Aiken Day School. She also taught music classes for special needs students at the Hitchcock Center and was a private piano teacher. Her father, mother, sister, cousins, and extended family members were proud educators from a family that valued education highly. Her father served as the Williamsburg County Public School Superintendent. Kay married John Bodenheimer in 1962, settled in Aiken, SC, and began building her family.

She was a member of Aiken First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed serving as a member and officer in the Aiken Garden Club, The Student Club, Mardi Gras club, and her regular bridge club. She loved attending the Aiken Community Theatre productions and the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, was a voracious reader, particularly loving a good mystery, and was an avid fan and supporter of PBS, NPR, and the Arts in many forms. She was a delightful, funny, and creative soul. She will be keenly missed.

Memorial services will be at Aiken First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 19, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception at the church following the ceremony. The interment will take place the following day in the Manning Cemetery, Manning, SC. Memorials may be made to The Etherredge Center at USC-Aiken or the charity of your choice.

Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, her son-in-law Jonathan McInnis, her son-in-law to be Rob Lamberts, and the members of her beloved bridge club.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC