Resident of Los Gatos

Mary Jane was born in Iowa and grew up across Iowa and Kansas, graduating from Kansas State. She married Dan Bender afew months before he left toserve as apilot in the South Pacific during WWII. After he came home, they moved east so Dan could finish his education at MIT. Then they moved back to Kansas before settling in Massachusetts where they lived for forty years.

MJ wore many hats in the churches where she and Dan were members, including co-chair of the Historical Restoration Committee of The Church on the Hill. She also co-chaired the Lenox Bicentennial Committee, served in Girl Scouts, and was board president of Family Services and Children’s Protective Services.

MJ volunteered in many roles at the Berkshire Medical Center, becoming president of the auxiliary and Berkshire Rehabilitation Center. She led successful capital fund drives for both as well as the Berkshire Garden Center, where she was also president. MJ was a lifelong member of Pi Beta Phi and PEO and served onthe board of Berkshire County Savings Bank. She received awards from the Rotary Club and BMC for her many years as a “professional volunteer.”

After Dan’s retirement from G.E., the couple wintered in Arizona and enjoyed many summers at their renovated lake house on Stockbridge Bowl in Massachusetts.

Throughout her life, MJ loved to entertain. She also greatly enjoyed golf, bridge, choir, and gardening.

MJ loved traveling, both throughout this country and internationally.

In 2004, MJ and Dan settled in Los Gatos, CA. After Dan passed away, MJ moved toThe Terraces of Los Gatos where she enjoyed 17 years of dear friendships.

MJ celebrated her 104th birthday a few weeks before passing away.

MJ will be missed by her daughters Barcley (Bill) Clayton, Pam (Ted) Bancroft, and Sue (John) Ahn, her grandchildren Royce (Ray), Allison, Mary (Paul), Ed (Meghan), Natalie (Jeff), and Rebecca, and great-grandchildren Maren, Tray, Sloane, Calvin, and Sienna.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Los Gatos Presbyterian Church or The Terraces of Los Gatos Foundation.