JOAN EVELYN BENDER (WESTON)

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JOAN EVELYN BENDER (nee WESTON) July 5, 1926 - March 2, 2018 Peacefully, our beloved mother passed away at Meadowood Manor, on March 2, 2018, at the age of 91. Joan was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Florence Dale (nee Drury), sisters, Dorothy Petrin and Yvonne Hanson, first husband Jack Bender and second husband Dave Chappell. Left to cherish her memory are her children: John (Audrey), Judy Andrich (Tom), Jim (Karen) and Janice Peters (Jon), 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Mom was born on July 5, 1926 in Brandon, the third daughter to Fred and Florence Weston. When Joan was four, her family moved to Winnipeg. Her father died when she was only 12. Later, Mom would meet the love of her life, Jack Frederick Bender. They married on July 7, 1944 and they would raise four children together. They moved to Montreal for two years in the late 1950s, returned to Winnipeg, then moved to Morden in the late 1960s. After spending a number of years there, they returned to Winnipeg. Together, they enjoyed life as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Jack died of cancer in 2003. Nine years later, Mom found love again and married Dave Chappell. After a short, but blissful marriage, Dave also passed away. Growing up, Mom enjoyed spending time at the piano with her father, who played by ear, learning to swim, row a boat and shoot a bow and arrow at cottages at both Oak Lake and, later, Sandy Hook. Her family enjoyed visiting her maternal grandparents and socializing with friends and other family, especially if music was involved. Mom enjoyed playing golf in Morden and later, at Crescent Drive, family ping pong tournaments, time spent at the beach, travelling, cruises, shopping, reading, cooking and socializing. And she loved dogs. Mom's faith was central to her being and she influenced others with her prayers. She also spent many years as secretary of the Morden Alliance Church. Most of all, Mom loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took a genuine interest in everyone's lives and relished the love she received in return. Mom's love, generosity, kindness, patience and presence touched us all. Mom, who was a diabetic, began to experience the effects of dementia the last few years of her life, which ultimately led to her death. Despite the dementia, she remained a most loving mother and grandmother. The family would like to thank the direct support staff at Meadowood Manor, Reverend David Holland-Chaplain and Dr. Pam Monk for Mom's care. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held for Joan at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or Diabetes Canada. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2018