Maria Elisabeth Bender, 93, passed away peacefully on February 17th 2024 to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.                                                Beloved wife of the late John G Bender Sr.                                       Devoted mother of Dr John G Bender III and Dr Joseph F Bender.                                              Dear sister of Johann, Hilda, Hubert, Eric, and Berta Fruhmann.                                       Loving grandmother of Maria, John, Robert, Stephanie, Victoria, and Joliza Bender.            Maria was born on November 10th 1930 in Graz Austria to father Johann Fruhmann and mother Maria Knopper.

Maria emigrated to London England to work in a London hospital from 1950 to 1955 through a program between Austria and England's Labor Board where she saw Queen Elizabeth's coronation horse drawn carriage and went to a Wimbledon tennis match.  She loved the fish and chips but not the London fog.  Maria then emigrated by ship to Ridgewood Brooklyn New York after being sponsored by her brother "Hans"                      She worked in Hans the baker's Home Bakery in park slope as a bakery sales lady.        She was introduced to her future husband John G Bender Sr who was mom's sister in law Marie Fruhmann first cousin.  After their marriage in 1957 mom moved in with dad to a house in Closter New Jersey.  She raised 2 sons - Dr John G Bender III - dentist - married to Dr Josephine Todaro with 3 children - Maria, John, and Robert - and - Dr Joseph F Bender - surgeon podiatrist - married to Abigail Sosa with 3 children - Stephanie, Victoria,and Joliza.

Maria enjoyed baking homemade Austrian Apple strudel and cookies.                       Maria also enjoyed cooking Weinerschnitzel, leg of lamb, mashed potatoes with gravy, parsley potatoes, potato salad, red beets and steamed cauliflower with fried breadcrumbs.                                  She always sent birthday cards to all her family, friends, and neighbors.

She was a devoted parishioner of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Closter New Jersey. Wake is Friday February 23rd 2024 at Moritz Funeral Home 348 Closter Dock Road Closter New Jersey 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

Funeral Mass is Saturday February 24th 2024 at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church at 10am with burial to follow at George Washington Memorial Park 234 Paramus Road Paramus New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Closter Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps
72 Ruckman Road Closter New Jersey 07624 would be greatly appreciated.