Wendy was born in California to Manuela Hudson and Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt II, a pioneer in thoroughbred racing, who’s father had gone down on the Lusitania. She was great, great granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the historic tycoon known as The Commodore. 

Like many wealthy children of her generation, Wendy grew up largely in the care of nannies, and throughout her childhood she was shuffled between Palm Beach and the Plaza Hotel. Wendy experienced her first sense of belonging at boarding school, where she cultivated life-long loving friendship with her art teacher Betty Klein. She later attended Sarah Lawrence College. 

In her early 20s Wendy was widely sought after and photographed as a debutant. She was featured in one of Lilly Pulitzer’s first advertising campaigns and attended the Truman Capote Black and White Ball. Although she enjoyed the social circuit, Wendy was devoted to her art and her family.

In her early 30s, Wendy married Orin Lehman, New York State’s longest-serving commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. They raised two daughters on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and divorced after 25 years of marriage in 1995. 

Known for her love of modernism, Wendy’s art was greatly inspired by her mentors Georgia O’Keefe and her sister, Anita Young. Wendy’s artistic expression spanned several mediums and six decades. Her work included brightly painted sculptures in wood and aluminum as well evocative paintings in acrylic, ink and watercolor. In 2008, she was selected to be a part of The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States, which resulted in the placement of her work in museums across the country, including the National Gallery of Art.

In addition to her work as an artist, Wendy was a founding member of STOP: Stop Traffic Offenses Program, having witnessed a red light runner nearly kill a friend’s child. She spent countless hours working on benefits for institutions like the New York Studio School. Wendy was also a spirited member of both The Century Association and the Junior Fortnightly. A natural born inventor, Wendy was known for engineering electrical household contraptions for her friends as gifts.                                 

Wendy was also blessed with a wry sense of humor. She was beloved for her vast and high-powered email list to which she posted everything from political commentary to dirty jokes. Always savoring a good laugh, there were few things Wendy appreciated more than spending time with her numerous and multifarious friends.

Wendy died of heart failure at her home in Manhattan on May 10th, 2016. She is survived by her three daughters, Brooke, Sage and Susan; her seven grandchildren; and her companion, Bill Beermann.

Mrs. Lehman’s artistic creativity and passion for her family and friends was unparalleled. Her loyalty and brazen sense of humor are dearly missed.