Helen A. Bender of Doylestown passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 10, 2018 at 100 years young. She was the wife for 52 years of her beloved late husband, Edward (Ned) Bender.
Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Charles and Kuni-Gunde Meisel Strotbeck and a graduate of Frankford High School.
Affectionately called “Queen Mum,” she proclaimed “motherhood” to be her greatest achievement. With her warm smile, bright blue eyes and love for chocolate, she endeared herself to everyone she met. Always a lady, Helen was the epitome of style and fashion and loved her mani’s and pedi’s.
She was a treasured volunteer at Holy Redeemer Hospital for many years.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Lakeview and the Pine Run Community for their love and excellent care.
She is survived by her 3 children: Edward Bender (Karen), Eileen Rumell (George) and Cheryl Suchodolski (John); 8 grandchildren: Derrick Bender (Lee), Kimberly Noll (Joseph), Tara Pelino, Edward Rumell and canine Haile, Heather Sturtevant (Mark), Leslie Wagner, Gregory Suchodolski (Katie), Laurie Suchodolski (Jorge) and 14 great-grandchildren, Dylan, Molly and Mackenzie Bender, Teagan and Trey Noll, Carys Helen Pelino, Paityn and Camryn Sturtevant, Katrina and Grayson Wagner, Ceci and Sam Suchodolski and Gavin and Vienna Cortes. She is also survived by her cousin: Lillian Strotbeck Erickson and her sister-in-law, Audrey Bender and her 4 daughters: Joy McCabe (Paul), Merri Brown (Drew), Christine Hagelgans (Bill) and Holly Fokin (Yuri), as well as 10 grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Donald Bender.
Family and friends are invited to her memorial service at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 27 at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 where the family will receive guests from 12:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Helen’s name may be made to: St. John’s United Methodist Church at the above address or to: CHOP, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352 (for the benefit of “single ventricle research and care” in the name of Samaria Martin Tribute Page) ( www.giving.chop.edu/goto/samariamartin.)
