Nancy A. (Rend) Bender

Nancy Ann (Rend) Bender of Indiana, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 

She was the daughter of the late Frank Anthony and Mary Louise (Catanzarite) Rend. Born on March 1, 1930, in Indiana, she held the distinction of being the oldest person to have been born and lived her entire life in Indiana Borough, reaching the age of 96. Nancy attended Indiana Normal School, which later became Keith School, and continued her education at Indiana State Teachers College (Delta Sigma Epsilon). After graduating, she taught Geography in Arnold, Pennsylvania. She was an active member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church and participated in organizations including the Indiana Hospital (IRMC) Auxiliary, the Indiana Garden Club, and the Downtown Business Association. After marrying Steve Bender, Nancy supported her husband in his photography business at Bender’s Studio while raising their three children. Once her sons graduated, she launched her own designer dress shop, Nanci Boutique, in downtown Indiana in 1980, which she successfully ran for 30 years. Nancy was known for her love of entertaining neighbors, family, and friends. She was kind, caring, and loving, cherished by everyone who knew her. As the family matriarch, she always ensured her loved ones were cared for — and that no one ever left her home hungry. 

She is survived by her children: Dr. Stefan Bender and his wife Shannon, of Lancaster; her caregiver, Gregory Bender, of Indiana; and Mark Bender and his wife Cheryl, of Pittsburgh. Her grandchildren include Andrew Foster of Pittsburgh, Donald Bender of Carlisle, and Madison Bender of Pittsburgh. She is also survived by a greatgranddaughter, Alice Eve Bender, and her sister, Kathy Rend Armstrong, of Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Bender; brothers-in-law: Nicholas Hrebik, Nick Bender, John H. Armstrong, Bob Bender and Mike Bender; sisters-in-law: Sue Bender, Ann Hrebik and Eileen Bender. 

Friends and family will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Robinson- Lytle-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 36 N 7th Street, Indiana. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 200 Clairvaux Drive, Indiana, with Fr. Richard Owens as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Bernard Cemetery. 

We would like to thank 365 Hospice and special aide, Jacquie McQuilkin, for all their help in her final year.