Louise Jane McGlynn Bender
12/27/1928 – 2/22/2014
Louise Bender passed away peacefully last Saturday, surrounded by her husband and seven children.
Born December 27, 1928 in East St. Louis, Illinois to Joseph McGlynn and Metta O’Brien McGlynn, Louise and grew up in Belleville, Illinois. The oldest of seven children, she is survived by her brothers, Joseph McGlynn, Jr. of Clayton, Missouri and D. Jerry McGlynn of Gualala, California.
The strong family bond established by her parents formed the foundation of her own family. In 1955, Louise married David P. Bender in St. Louis. They lived in San Pedro, California until 1964, when they decided to move to Ojai, California, in order to raise their children in a smaller community. Their seven children are David, Jr. (married to Susan), Ellen (Doug), Joseph (Eileen), Laura, Peggy (Bryan), Matt (Jennifer), and Mary (Dan). Their ten grandchildren are David, Michael, Kevin, Conor, Elizabeth, Daniel, Michael, Cory, Chris, and Cathleen.
Louise’s deep devotion to God was lifelong. She matriculated at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana in 1945 at the age of 16. At her graduation in 1949, she received the McCandless Award for the Best Student in Theology and Philosophy. She also earned a minor in Music. As a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai, California, she was an important part of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program, which included teaching parish children, training teachers, and writing curriculum. She also taught Theology to the novices at St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center in Ojai in the years when the Brothers of St. John of God had a novitiate at that location.
Her family members wish to extend their gratitude to all the people who have helped to care for Louise in recent years. The compassion of the health care staff at every level was a great comfort.
Family and Friends are invited to visiting hours from 4 to 8pm on Friday, February 28, 2014 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME 757 East Main Street, Ventura, with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7pm in the Funeral Chapel. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 1pm in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai, followed by a reception in the parish hall. Interment will be Monday, March 3, 2014 at 10:30AM in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Louise’s name to Life Choices Pregnancy Clinic of the Ojai Valley.