Anne "Ambie" Budell Henderson

Anne Budell “Ambie” Henderson, our beloved Southern Belle, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, in Napa, California, holding the hands of her daughters. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 3, 1944, she was the eldest of three children of Budell Strekfus “Dink” and Anne “Ditty” Lechleiter Markolf.

Ambie attended Holy Spirit School and Sacred Heart Academy, where she formed lifelong friendships she deeply cherished. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky in 1966. A proud lifelong Kappa Kappa Gamma, she lived by its motto: “Dream boldly, live fully.”

In August of 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Louisville tennis professional Jackie Cooper, and together they had three daughters—Carrie, Laura, and Jamie. The family moved to La Quinta, California, in 1978, where the girls were raised with unconditional love, humor, and a deep loyalty to family. In the desert, Ambie launched a successful career in retail and fashion, where her magnetic personality and signature style set her apart. She played a pivotal role in opening Palm Desert’s May Company and later became Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue in Palm Springs. There, she produced runway shows, curated events, mentored emerging talent, and cultivated lasting relationships with designers and clients throughout the Coachella Valley.

In 1985, she married Dr. W. Ray Henderson, and together they built a vibrant life. Always one to share her contagious enthusiasm while supporting causes close to her heart, Ambie founded the Desert Fashion Group and served on the Board of Directors for Eisenhower Medical Center. She was also a proud member of the Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic, a close-knit group of women who worked tirelessly to promote leadership and higher education for college-bound young women in the valley. In 1989, Ambie and Ray opened The Renaissance Cosmetic Surgery Center, where she became an integral and dynamic part of the medical practice. Ambitious and never one to sit still, she became a licensed esthetician, developed her own skincare line, and launched “Facials by Ambie.”

Over three wonderful decades together, Ambie and Ray loved traveling the world and treasured family traditions, especially summers in Coronado and Kauai. Ambie also cherished visits to her “Old Kentucky Home,” as well as to Nashville and the Carolinas—places where music, laughter, and storytelling always filled the room. Affectionately known as “Grambie,” she valued time with her children, grandchildren, and close family friends more than anything in the world. Nothing was more magical than Christmas Eve at Grambie’s, where Santa Claus always made a special appearance.

Forever glamorous, Ambie will be remembered for her radiant smile, signature red lipstick, unshakable spirit, and heart of gold. Loved by all, she was a social butterfly, our Bluegrass Beauty, and the ultimate “Belle of the Ball.” She met life’s challenges with grit, charm, and grace, and her unwavering positivity left a lasting imprint. True to the meaning of her family name, Lechleiter—“lamplighter”—Ambie’s inner light brightened every room she entered and every life she touched.

In her final years, Ambie moved to the Bay Area to be closer to her daughters and was cared for with tenderness at The Watermark at Napa Valley. Her family is deeply grateful to the dedicated staff, and especially to her loving caregiver, companion, and honorary “daughter,” Rosie, for her compassion and devotion.

Ambie is survived by her three devoted daughters: Carrie (Patrick) Nevins, Laura (Jim) Regusci, and Jamie (Chad) Bockius; her stepchildren: Nancy Henderson, Jan (Steve) Bertling, Ray Henderson, and Julie Henderson; her grandchildren: Cassidy (Nicholas), Caitlin (Cortney), and Christian (Andrea) Korsgaard; Jacob and Andrew Mendes; Brooklyn and Cooper Bockius; Steven (Brooke) Bertling; Kristen and Lyndsie Henderson; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear extended family, including cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Walter Ray Henderson; her brother, William Markolf; and her sister, Mary Lillian “Mimi” Markolf.

A celebration of Ambie’s life will be held on her birthday weekend, Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Saint James Catholic Church, 1826 Edenside Avenue, in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Immediately following the mass, she will be laid to rest, alongside her family at Calvary Cemetery. Reception details to follow.

In lieu of flowers and to  Ambie’s memory, contributions may be made to www.tinyurl.com/jakessake as a tribute to her grandson Jake’s courageous fight against brain cancer, or to www.psp.org in support of research and awareness for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the disease Ambie faced with grace and courage.

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