Patricia R. Bender, 91

November 12, 2015

Patricia R. Bender died peacefully on Thursday morning at the age of 91. Born in Washington, PA she was raised in Hanover where her father practiced as a physician before moving to Harrisburg. As a child, Pat preferred climbing trees to cradling a doll. But in high school she turned all girl with a long string of beaus to prove it. She starred in high school plays and danced the nights away with Delphian Society friends.

A shared love of music and dancing led her to marry Herm Bender, but the marriage brought hardship. She became the sole support for two boys, moved to Lancaster and fought for fair process at a time when women’s rights were stifled. Although a smart lady, Pat never attended university, but a two-year degree landed her positions in accounting and law. She served as the bookkeeper for Certified Carpet until age 70.

In retirement she devoured books and enjoyed writing silly birthday poems for her friends. Music was never far from her ears, and she’d break into dance whenever it moved her. Artistic as well, Pat converted freehand drawings into needlepoint works. Until the age of 90 she walked two miles a day and fueled those walks with sweet mandarin oranges. In her last year, she still took a daily loop around Musser Park.

Pat is survived by her son, David and her older sister, Mary Peterson as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her son, John as well as her siblings Jane Alden, James Rinehardt, William Rinehardt, Frederick Rinehardt and Frances Spann and her parents Stacy Rinehardt and Mary Ervin Rinehardt.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Pat’s Funeral Service from the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 East King Street, Lancaster, PA, on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. with the Rev. Daniel O’Brien Celebrant. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. The interment will take place on Monday, November 23, 2015 at Holy Cross Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Musser Park Civic Association, P.O. Box 231 Lancaster PA 17608-0231 or Compass Mark (John S. Bender Memorial Fund), 630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601.