Wendy S. Caldwell, 52, wife of James M. Schreder, died January 12.

Born on July 30, 1962, Wendy was the daughter of Donald Caldwell, Lancaster, and Audrey Caldwell, Ephrata. She was a 1980 graduate of Warwick High School. She spent her junior year at Ithaca High School, Ithaca, NY. She was a track and field standout and a cheerleader throughout high school.

In late 1980, Wendy dropped out of her freshman year of college to pursue a career in radio. She began as an intern at WLAN-AM/FM (FM 97) and eventually paired up with Brother Weems to form the popular Weems Team on FM 97 in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Wendy also worked as a morning personality and newscaster at radio stations in Lebanon and York. She ended her radio career in 2001 at WROZ-FM (The Rose).

Wendy returned to college and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English and Cultural Anthropology in 2007. She then worked as a reading and writing tutor for Smarthinking, Inc. and at Reading Area Community College.

At the time of her death, Wendy was employed by the Lancaster Newspapers as a correspondent, a job she held since 1996. She was most proud of her published series focusing on Sustainable Agriculture in Lancaster County, and she also enjoyed writing nearly 300 Teen of the Week features.

Wendy was very active in local theatre. As a comic character actress, she performed in over 30 productions at Ephrata Performing Arts Center. She was also seen on stage at York Little Theatre, The Fulton Opera House, and Genesius Theatre in Reading.

Wendy was dedicated to helping the community, a passion that began when she was involved with the Girl Scouts. She volunteered with the Literacy Council of Lancaster, the Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy organization (KPETS), and the Salvation Army.

Wendy enjoyed exercising, listening to 1970s and 1980s music, taking walks with Zoe, spending time in her hometown of Lititz, and making people laugh. She cherished every visit she made to Ocean City, NJ, and it was her wish that her ashes be scattered along Ocean City's beach.

In addition to Wendy's parents and husband, she is survived by her brother, David Caldwell, South Orange, NJ; her nephews, Benjamin Caldwell and Daniel Caldwell, also of South Orange; her aunt, Michelle Dorsey, Lancaster; and her uncle, Robert DeMora, Youngsville, NY. She loved her witty family with her entire heart.

There will be no formal services, in keeping with Wendy's request. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate the life of Wendy Caldwell at an informal get together on Friday, January 16 from 3-6 pm at Ephrata Performing Arts Center's Sharadin Bigler Theatre, 320 Cocalico Street in Ephrata. Without a formal service, feel free to drop in at any point for any length of time. Think about something she did or said that made you laugh, or find your favorite picture of Wendy. Please bring those memories to share with others. Donations in Wendy's memory can be made to Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center (for kids with cancer) at 90 Hope Drive, A120, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852 or fourdiamonds.org.