Heaven gained a truly beautiful soul on Saturday when Dorothy "Dottie" Bender, age 91, passed away while under the care of Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. She was the wife of Harold "Zeke" Bender, who died on March 9, 2007, after 57 years of marriage. Born in Scranton, the daughter of the late John P. and Margaret (Burke) Moran, she was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School. Formerly of East Mountain, she was a resident of Scranton Health Care Center for the past several years, where she brought laughter and joy to all of the residents.
Dottie spent her entire life finding connections with people and sharing her contagious smile and uplifting personality. She loved helping people in any way possible, and spent every moment of her life putting others before herself. She had a very deep faith in God and was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish in the Minooka section. The daily saying of her rosary was something she truly enjoyed in her later years. Her greatest joy in life was her love for her large family, of which she was extremely proud. Her family will always remember her for her sense of humor, as there was nothing she loved more than a good joke, and her ability to bring a smile and a laugh into any situation. She taught us that laughter feeds the soul, and because of her our souls are very well-fed. Her favorite day of the year was when the entire family gathered for a birthday party for the Baby Jesus, with cake and all. She particularly loved birthdays, and singing her many unique verses of the birthday song, always ending with "May the Dear Lord Bless You." The picture of class, she loved fashion, and was always dressed to the nines. The only thing she loved more than a cozy pair of slippers was a great pair of high heels. One thing she did not like was goodbyes, and so instead we wish to simply say to her, "Tutaloo, and we love you!"
Surviving are her children, Sue Hiller and husband Al; Peg Natale and husband, Tom; and Sharon Bender, all of Scranton; and Bill Bender and wife, Maureen, Lake Winola; four sisters, Nancy Estadt, Reading; Jane Panetti and husband, Joe, Florida; Barbara Regan and husband, Neil, Scranton; and Lois Mulhall and husband, John, California; and a brother, Bob Moran and wife, Morna, New Jersey. Affectionately known as "Nana Dot," she also had 14 grandchildren, Heather Fox and Bill, Todd Hiller and Sharla, Mandy Montoro and Mike, Missy Simrell and Chris, Bill Bender II and Christin, Dustin Bender and Colleen, Marla Natale and Kevin Bender, all of Scranton; Desiree Natale Peguero and Jose, Tom Natale and Tawnee, and John Bender and Kate, all of Moosic; A.J. Hiller and Michelle, East Stroudsburg; Chris Natale and Kim, Old Forge; and Sherri Koscal and Larry, Florida. She was also blessed with 35 great-grandchildren and expecting two more; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Jack Bender; and her brother, Jack Moran and wife, Marie; as well as her brother-in-law, Gary Estadt.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Anees Fogley, the staff of Scranton Health Care Center and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their compassionate care.
The funeral will be Wednesday from the Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton, PA 18505, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish at St. Joseph's Church, 312 Davis St., Scranton, celebrated by the Rev. Francis Pauselli, pastor. Interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. The family requests that those attending the funeral Mass proceed directly to the church.
Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lackawanna Blind Association, 228 Adams Ave., Scranton, which was very kind to her throughout the years.