May 16, 1944 - December 18, 2024
Bradenton, Florida - Caryl D. Ponder (née Fennick)
Courageous spirit, generous heart and lifelong gardener.
Caryl was born in Detroit, MI to Carl and Agnes Fennick. She was raised in Berkley, MI, with her younger sister, Pat, and twin brothers, Rob and Ron, graduating from Berkley High School in 1962.
In her youth, she worked as a model and then for General Motors before eventually moving to the Thumb of Michigan where she poured her love into an organic farm, teaching and antiques.
In 1992, Caryl moved to Bradenton, FL to start a restaurant and eventually became a financial planner for Smith Barney. She always loved to collect antiques and became a dealer later in life. Throughout her life, her passion for gardening never waned. She joined the Manatee River Garden Club and the championing of causes close to her heart - like tree-planting along Bradenton's boulevards and parks. She was also active in flower arranging and photography competitions always ready with a smile, a kind word or a helping hand.
Caryl's beauty, grace and humor touched everyone who knew her. She was a loving wife to Gary, a devoted mother to Brett (Masayo) and Katie (Grant Asher) O'Connor, a cherished grandmother to Payton and Colin Asher, and a beloved sister to Patricia Alexander and Ron Fennick. Her light will continue to shine through the memories and stories shared by all whose lives she enriched.
A memorial lunch to celebrate Caryl's life will be held at the Manatee River Garden Club on March 1, 2025, from 11:00 1:00. Though we will miss her dearly, we take comfort in knowing that her legacy of love, laughter and community spirit will forever bloom in our hearts.
