Patricia Anne Bender at age 71, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011 in Yuma, AZ. She was born on March 18, 1940 in Waukegan, IL.Patricia attended Waukegan High School and graduated in 1958. She moved to Arizona in 1970. She spent 25 years in the Answering Service business. She was a past president at the American Legion Post 19 Auxiliary, as well as at Elk Lodge #476 Auxiliary.Patricia is survived by her husband, Ronald L Bender of Yuma, AZ; son, John Laux of Massachusetts; step daughter, Brenda (Robert) Letendre of Yuma, AZ; step-sons, Mark (Vicki) Bender of Yuma, and Philip (Jeanna) Bender of Iowa; 9 step-grandchildren, Brian and Timothy Bender of Hawaii; Bobby Letendre of Arizona; Jessica (Garret) Robinson, of North Carolina; Erica Bender of California; Matthew and Kyle Letendre of Arizona; Christina Bender, Iowa and David Bender of Arizona; two step-great grandchildren, Autumn Robinson of North Carolina and Jacey Letendre of Arizona; two nephews, Patrick and Tim Needham and families of Waukegan, Illinois.Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Anne Flynn; daughter LeeAnne (Michael) Grimes.Donations can be made to Humane Society of Yuma in her name.