Joyce E. Bender

March 26, 1933 - January 7, 2016

COLONIE – Joyce E. Bender, 82, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at St. Peter's Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born in Germantown on March 26, 1933 the daughter of the late Gilbert and Beatrice (Moore) Miller. She attend local schools and graduated from Watervliet High School. Joyce worked as a sales associate for Macy's in Colonie Center and retired in 1996 after 25 years of service. She was a loving, kind and passionate woman , committing herself to her family and community. Joyce was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion Post #574 in Hudson Falls. She was an avid cat lover, an accomplished bowler, and a fan of the NY Mets and the New England Patriots. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard G. Bender, Sr., who she married on May 31, 1952 and he later died on September 29, 2014. Survivors include her devoted children, Elaine M. Silvernail and her husband David, of Athens, NY, Richard G. Bender, Jr. and his wife Laurie, of Ballston Spa and Raymond G. Bender and his wife Kathy, of Rotterdam; adoring grandchildren, Carli Bender, of Troy, Tori Bender, of Florence, SC, Savanna Aflleje, of Oologah, OK, David O'Brien, of Salem, NY, Sean O'Brien, of Clifton Park, Cassandra Boucher – Kjelland (Luke) and Chris Boucher, all of Ballston Spa; a niece Debbie Godin Chan, and a nephew Austin Hennessy, both of Charleston, SC. Services will be held Monday at 7 pm at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street, with Fr. Richard A. Carlino, officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made in Joyce's memory to The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204 or online at www.mohawkhumane.org.