Obituary of Diane Bending

Bending – Diane Marie (nee Jennings) died peacefully at home in Sarnia, on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Predeceased by her mother Edith in 1987, father William in 2002 and husband, David in 2006; Diane is survived by her children, Kelly (Ken) Bowman and Stephanie (David) Pearsall both of Guelph, Ward (Melanie) Yorke and Robert (Gillian) Yorke both of Kitchener-Waterloo, and Michael Bending of Sarnia; her grandchildren, Megan, Kenny and Max Bowman, Josh, Jake, Luke and Hannah Pearsall, Mitchell and Connor Yorke, and Piper and Scotia Yorke. She will be missed by many other relatives and friends. Diane was born on June 1st, 1941 in Toronto, Ontario. She attended Sarnia Central Collegiate Institute. Diane was employed as a secretary at College Heights Secondary School, Maple Leaf Mills and the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph and later did bookkeeping for David's insurance business. Most recently she donned the blue smock of the Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Sarnia where she shared friendship and warmth with many. Having lived in Toronto, Guelph, Goderich and Sarnia, she had a widespread network of friends. Diane had a zest for life, often enjoying its simplest pleasures. She could be found at music festivals, the beach, practicing Tai Chi in the park, watching the annual Trumpeter Swan migration in Grand Bend or serving lunch at the Inn of the Good Shepherd. Her interests included nature, playing cards, tennis, golf, Reiki, Healing Touch, and all things spiritual. Diane and her family wish to thank her friends, Linda and Marj for their support, Dr. Spano, Dr. Balachandra, Dr. Muhunthan, Dr. Maddison, the nurses at Bluewater Health, Imelda and the rest of the home care nurses for their excellent care. Visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia, on Saturday, September 27th, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A celebration of Diane's life will be held at McKenzie and Blundy Funeral Home and Cremation Centre on Sunday, September 28th at 1:00 p.m., with Angela MacDonald officiating. Cremation and interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Sarnia will occur at a later date. Donations may be made to the Cancer Research Society, 625 President Kennedy Avenue, Suite 402, Montreal QC, H3A 3S5 or online at www.src-crs.ca. Messages of condolence and memories may be offered at www.mckenzieblundy.com. A tree will be planted in memory of Diane Bending in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 20th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.