Joan T. Bender

Joan T. Bender, 93 of Elizabeth NJ passed away after a brief illness on January 7, 2023.

She was born on September 10, 1929 to Josephine and Augustus Bender. After graduating as Salutatorian from St. Mary’s High School, class of 1947, she went to work in New York City for Look Magazine and later Equitable Life Insurance.

Joan was pre-deceased by her life partner Albert G. Bauer, her mother and father, brother Jack Bender of Westfield and Betty Savage of Skokie, Illinois. She was affectionately known to her close friends and family as ‘Chester.’ She enjoyed vacationing in Florida with her sister. She also enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. She loved spending all holidays with her family. She also enjoyed getting together with her ‘Hilltopper’ gals once a month for lunch. Joan was simply kind to all. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her sister Sarah Campagna of Jupiter, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Wednesday January 18th. Visitation begins at 8:30 AM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield. Funeral mass to follow at 10:15 AM at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Union. Interment at Rosedale Cemetery, Linden.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joan’s name to: ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn 38105 http://www.stjude.org

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