Sandra "Cookie" Wenneker

WENNEKER, Sandra (Cookie), social worker and community volunteer, died Wed., Sept. 29, 2004 at the Hospice Care Center in Lexington. She was born in St. Louis, MO, grew up in Dallas, TX, daughter of Lorraine Levy Schein of Dallas and the late Dr. S. Edward Sulkin. Surviving besides her mother are her loving husband, William [Bill] Wenneker, children, Jeffrey Alan Wenneker, Lexington, Mark Edward Wenneker, San Francisco and her beloved daughter-in-law, Nicole Lynn Witheiler Wenneker, her brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Ada Sulkin, Dallas, her brother and sister-in-law, James and Irene [Deceased] Wenneker, Lexington and her many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, etc. Known by her friends, family and co-workers for her many passions. Devoted to her husband and children and her great pride in each of her son's accomplishments through the years, passion for world travel with her husband and dearest friends Stuart and Donna Lowenthal, to become familiar with the other cultures. She had a great interest in identifying unmet needs in the community and state, and working on boards and committees to develop programs to meet those needs. Involvement in development of the YWCA Spouse Abuse Center of Lexington, Child Abuse Council Nest, Wheels of Red Cross, she served on many boards in the Jewish and general community and a number of local, state and national boards related specifically to her passion for advocating for persons with disabilities and their rights to be full participants in their communities. She received her Bachelors Degree from Newcomb College of Tulane University and her Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling and Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She was a member of Temple Adath Israel, served on the Board of Trustees and active in the Temple Social Action Committee. Also President of the Lexington Section of National Council of Jewish Women and Chair of Jewish Family Services of Central Kentucky Jewish Federation. Some general community boards; Planned Parenthood, Resource Office for Social Ministries, Gods Pantry, Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass, Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. Cookie's most recent professional positions have been with the YWCA, Spouse Abuse Center as Community Coordinator and from 1986 to the present as a social worker with the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute which provides training for students and professionals in the field of disabilities. She lived her life with humor, caring and a positive attitude. her philosophy of life came from this quote from William Penn: " I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be kindness I can show or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." Funeral services will be 3 pm Fri., at the W.R. Milward Mortuary-Broadway conducted by Rabbi Marc Kline with burial in the Lexington Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Stuart Lowenthal, Sandy Levy, Jeff Kessler, Mike Ades, Bill Hoskins, Steve Barnhardt, Erik Hagen and Brad Wands. Honorary casketbearers will be Dexter Webb, Ron Thompson, Ray Corcoran, Bill Carlstrom, Ray Shepherd, Jack Tribble, Charlie Clarey, Jack Miller, Talbott Todd, Dr. John Clements, Ben Kaufman, Steve Caller, Lamar Hight, Mike Reynolds and Tom Brabant. Friends may call 4-6 pm Thurs. and after 2 pm Fri., til service time. Contributions may be made to Temple Adath Israel 124 North Ashland Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502 or to Hospice of the Bluegrass 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504. www.milwardfuneral.com