Susan J. (Parker) Bender

Susan “Sue” J. Bender, 76, of Lebanon, CT passed away at home on April 19, 2023. She was born in Willimantic, CT, the daughter of the late Ralph, Sr. and Della (Porter) Parker.

Sue had many artistic talents including crocheting, drawing and painting. Her personality was bigger than life. Being the only girl in a family of five boys, Sue wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and never backed down from a fight, but she was also incredibly generous, caring and giving of herself to those around her. To Sue, her family was everything. She loved her parents dearly and they shared a very close bond. Sue spent a lot of her time with her parents, from taking her dad fishing to just sitting with her mom reminiscing. As her parents aged, she selflessly spent every day taking care of them until their passing.

Sue’s husband Jack was the love of her life. Together they enjoyed traveling, stopping by a tag sale or two, an occasional trip to the casinos and spending time with their family and friends.

She was most proud of their son Carl (just ask anyone) and really enjoyed being a grandma. She loved to go to her grandchildren’s activities. From baseball games to dance recitals to horse shows to volleyball matches to concerts, Sue could be seen and heard loudly cheering them on. She even got to experience her first professional hockey game with her grandchildren and to no surprise loved the roughness of the game.

She was an early riser and used this time to enjoy her morning coffee and to catch up with her family and friends on Facebook. After Jacks passing, Sue became active in the First Baptist Church of Lebanon and the Lebanon Senior Center where she enjoyed helping out in the kitchen or anywhere they needed her. Sue continued her love of traveling, taking many trips with the Lebanon Jr’s & Sr’s as well as her yearly trips to the coast of Maine with her friend Mike. Through these activities, she met many new friends, and those friendships lasted her lifetime. Sue left us all with such wonderful memories that will be cherished forever by her family and friends.

Sue is survived by her son Carl Bender and his wife Anna of Lebanon, CT, grandson Alex Bender of Nashville, TN, granddaughter Andee Bender of St. Paul, MN, brother Richard Parker and his wife Ann of Mansfield, CT, many nieces and nephews, and later in life companion Michael Manning. She was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Bender, Sr., brothers Ralph, Jr., Norbert, Samuel, and Raymond Parker.

There are no calling hours. Sue’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, 694 Trumbull Hwy, Lebanon with her burial following at the New Lebanon Cemetery on Waterman Rd., Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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