Obituary: Jean Waterman Bender

Jean Waterman Bender from Longboat Key and formerly from Harrison, N.Y. died on January 2. She was 100.

Mrs. Bender was born on Oct. 23 1911.

At the age of 16, she entered Barnard College and met “Lulu” Louis Bender at a basketball game at Columbia College. They were inseparable until his death. Mrs. Bender obtained a Masters in social work from Columbia. She worked at a social work agency in NYC in the 1930’s and early 40’s. After her children were grown, she volunteered as a social worker for several years at the Westchester Family Service agency in New York. She took classes at the New School in New York City and at Manhattanville College in Purchae, New York.

She was an active participant of the adult education programs on the key. She and her husband frequented the opera, concert series at the Van Wezel and Asolo Theater subscriptions.

She is survived by sons, Michael and Steven; daughters, Ellyn and Golda; 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held in New York at a future date. Friends will be received at the home of Ellyn Bender and Pamela Paschall from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 4616 Tuscana Dr., Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Sarasota, FL or to a charity of your choice.