Helen              Bender

Helen Bender, 89, of Newtown, widow of Stanley Syman and Charles Bender, died April 1, at Haven Health Care in Farmington. Mrs Bender was born May 3, 1915, in New York City, a daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret Gorey.

She was employed as a clothing store manager for Lillian Garber Shops of Danbury and New Milford. She resided in Beacon Woods in Bayonet, Fla., for 23 years, where she was president of the garden club and enjoyed playing golf, before moving back to Connecticut.

Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Robert Syman of Key West, Fla.; Stanley and Lorraine Syman of Forestville, Conn.; and Jeffrey and Dona Syman of Key West, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Barbara and her husband, Charles Bender, of Clearwater, Fla.; a stepson Tom and his wife, Carol Bender; three grandchildren, Jason, Aaron, and Caitlyn Syman; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 6, in Bristol, Conn.

The Newtown Bee        April 8, 2005