Rosa Lee Wendlinger Broadhurst

A native Athenian, she was born on September 16, 1928 to the late Emil Anthony Wendlinger and Ada Parr Wendlinger. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Maude Virginia Thomas of Long Island, New York. She was reared and educated in Athens, attending Lucy Cobb Institute, Athens Public Schools, and the University of Georgia.

After World War II, she married Joseph Wooten Broadhurst whom she had met in Athens when he was stationed at the Naval Supply Corps School where he was being trained for overseas duty. They were married for 65 years.

She is survived by her husband and their three daughters, Sandra Broadhurst Miller (John), Shirley Broadhurst Landers (Reginald), and Rebecca Jo Broadhurst; four grandchildren, Stacey Kinney Gay (Jason), John Broadhurst Miller (Nancy), Scott Alan Kinney (Tracey), and Nicholas Rabun Kinney; and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her caretaker and beloved friend, Belinda Elder. Other important members of the family include two rescued cats.

Mrs. Broadhurst was a member of the First Methodist Church where she served in various capacities for a number of years including W.S.C.S. officer, superintendent of the Children’s Sunday School Department, and Kindergarten and Primary Class teacher.

For twelve years she was very involved with the Girl Scouts, serving as an officer on the Otaki Girl Scout Council and leading a Girl Scout troop from Brownie Scouts through Senior Scouting.

Many summers were spent teaching children and young adults to swim for the Athens Recreational Department swim program.

Mrs. Broadhurst was an active member/officer of many community and professional clubs throughout her life, including the Athens Junior Woman’s Club, Altrusa Woman’s Club, UGA Woman’s Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Athens Community Chest, Governor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Retardation, Mental Retardation Center Director’s Association of Georgia, National Association of Retardation, Council on Developmental Disabilities, Clarke County Public School System for Exceptional Children, Georgia and National Associations for the Young Child.

In her professional life, Mrs. Broadhurst was honored as the Athens Business and Professional Club 1967 Woman of the Year in Education and in the late 1980s was honored with the Golden Award for Continuous Service in Education and the Community. In 1972, she was awarded the Outstanding Citizen for Service to Community and Church by the Gaines Civitan Club. In 2011, she was selected as one of fifty women in Athens history in celebration of the Athens-Clarke County Bicentennial.

Her greatest honor, however, was the privilege of serving so many special children and adults who attended Hope Haven School during the 32 years that she served as director of the school and the privilege of working with the many members of civic organizations and clubs whose support ensured the survival of the school.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30PM Friday, January 20th at Bernstein Funeral Home.

Mrs. Broadhurst’s grandsons, sons-in-law, and grandson-in-law will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia.

Online condolences can be made at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com .

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.