SOUTHBURY- Mary Ann (Flaherty) Bender, 91, went home to the Lord from the Lutheran Home of Southbury on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. She was predeceased by her husband E. Raymond Bender.

Born on December 24, 1917 in Long Island City, New York, daughter of the late James Tracey Flaherty and Margaret (nee Muller) Flaherty. Mom was an excellent seamstress and made all of her own clothes. She loved to paint, knit sweaters and make flower arrangements. She also loved her crossword puzzles, especially the New York Times. She won awards for her paintings and her whole family was very proud of her. She also loved to bake and there were always sweet smells coming from the kitchen. Mom loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

She leaves her two sisters, Joan Conway of Chestertown, NY and Rose Matthews of Ohio. Also her two children, Patricia Parkel of Oxford, CT and Michael Bender and his wife Karen of Fairfield, CT; her grandchildren, Raymond Parkel of Oxford, Erica Bender of Fairfield and Christopher and Courtney Bender of Wilton, CT. Also many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by a sister, Margaret Kelley and a step-granddaughter, Leslie Parkel.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: St. Thomas the Apostle

Services: The funeral will leave the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North on Monday, July 6, 2009 at 8: 45 a.m. to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 733 Oxford, Rd. Oxford for a Mass at 9: 30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Gerald Solomon National Cemetery in Saratoga, New York beside her husband.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday July 2, 2009 from 5-8 p.m.