Ashby (Kendall) and Katharine (Kit) Sydnor

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Kit (nee Baker) Sydnor met Kendall Sydnor, Jr. , her husband-to-be, when she moved to Lynchburg and opened a bank account at Fidelity Bank. He worked as manager at a branch that Kit sometimes frequented. They married in 1973, and for 43 years lived at 1973 Rocky Mountain Road in Forest, Virginia. 

After graduating from high school Kit entered Sweet Briar College where she received a B.A. degree.  She also holds an international certificate as a Montessori teacher earned at the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola University.  She worked for many years as a primary teacher in Montessori schools in the states of Maryland and New Jersey, as well as in Lynchburg.   When not teaching children, she has been equally engaged in operating Steep Forest Farm.  There she oversees the boarding of horses, along with teaching horseback riding to both children and adults.  She also loved teaching in the riding program at Sweet Briar.  Kit has served on the boards of Montessori schools in New Jersey and Virginia and held leadership positions in the United States Pony Club for many years.  She retired from Montessori teaching but, along with her daughter, continues to teach at Steep Forest Farm.  In addition to her work interests, Kit enjoys swimming, yoga, and walking.

Kendall graduated from E. C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, holds a B.  A. degree from Lynchburg College, and served for four years with the United States Air Force.  Once discharged from his military service, Kendall worked a few years for Fidelity Bank.  He left the banking business to become manager and, eventually, corporate officer at Lynchburg Block and Virginia Dunbrik Company, a business owned by his father.  Now retired, he lists wood and metal crafting, along with reading, as hobbies.  Kendall has served on the boards of Central Virginia Speech and Hearing and Presbyterian Cemetery, where he continues to spend some time as a volunteer.

The Sydnors have one daughter, Jennifer Fessler, and a seven-year old granddaughter.  Kit and Kendall delight in that they live close by.  Two Pembroke Corgi dogs, one an old lady at age 13 and the other, an active puppy, moved with the Sydnors to Westminster Canterbury.