Amy Marie Bender

Amy Marie Bender passed into the loving hands of the Lord on September 25, 2012 after losing the battle to pancreatic cancer. Amy was born in Wenatchee on June 19, 1971 to Wayne and Brenda (Jagla) Bender. Having attended Columbia Elementary, Pioneer Junior High School, and graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1989, Amy lived most of her life in the Wenatchee valley. Amy was loved by many; her beautiful smile and spirit will be greatly missed. She was a devoted, loyal friend and family member. She was also a loyal dog owner; her dog Lexi was a huge part of her world. When Lexi passed a few years ago, Amy missed her terribly but never replaced her because she said she would never have a dog as good as Lexi. Amy enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She was content to sit and watch her nephew Riley play video games and would often join in the fun. Family functions were times Amy enjoyed. A movie or lunch with friends is what would make her smile. Amy was brave to the very end, having to endure a lot of pain and discomfort. Her sense of humor would peak through the pain from time to time and her smile would make you believe all was going to be alright. Through her illness, her sole caregiver was her mother, Brenda. Along the way, they both met a lot of caring people. Brenda would like to thank the following people for the love and care they provided for Amy during her illness: Barb, Teri, Claudia, Teresa, Trish, and Fred - Hospice nurses Nicole - bath aide Alisha and Carla - social workers All of the nurses and staff at Colonial Vista Val, Karen, and Rebecca - Hospice volunteers who sat with Amy Dr. Gail Feinman and her nurse Sherry Dr. Mandy Robertson and the infusion nurses at Wenatchee Valley Medical Center My family and Amy's friends for coming in to sit with Amy and hold her hand during her brief stay at Colonial Vista. "I will be forever grateful to all of you." Amy is survived by her mother and stepfather, Brenda and Ron Jagla; her father Wayne Bender; her brother and sister-in-law Darin and Laura Bender; her nephew Riley Bender, known to her as "tater tot;" her aunts Marsha Taylor and Janet Hood; her uncle Loye Taylor; and her grandmother Helen Taylor. Preceded in death are Amy's grandparents Roy Taylor, Francis and Bus Ulin, uncle, Kelly Hood, and her dog Lexi. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, October 1, 2012, 11:00am at the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church. In lieu of other tributes memorials can be made in her name to Central Washington Hospice and Home Health, 1020 N Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801 or The Pancreatic Cancer Fund % Virginia Mason Medical Foundation, Dr. Vincent Picozzi, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98111. Family and friends are invited to view her online tribute at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Amy Marie Bender

June 9, 1971 - September 25, 2012