Diane Bender of Forth Myers, Florida, and Sag Harbor, Dies October 15

Diane Bender of Forth Myers, Florida, and Sag Harbor died on October 15 at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, with her husband, George F. Bender Jr. and son, Donald G. Bender, at her bedside. She was 76.

She was born in Manhattan on September 22, 1948, to Raymond and Dorothy Herrmann (nee Myers).

Raised in Bayside, New York, she spent her summers in Sag Harbor. Her family was one of the first few to settle in a development that would later be named North Hampton Colony. Her father and uncle contributed to the building of the North Hampton Colony Yacht Club.

She had a true passion for Long Island and was happiest being on the water. An avid boatsman, she enjoyed long summer days on her boat, fishing, water skiing, and swimming. She remembered her summers fondly, befriending many neighborhood children with whom she continued to remain close with until her death.

She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in business and started her career as an insurance claims adjuster and later became a real estate agent for many years until her retirement in 2011, when she and her husband moved to Sag Harbor full-time. They subsequently moved to Fort Myers in 2021.

She met her husband on Halloween in 1970, and they married on September 8, 1973. The couple moved to Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1973, before settling in Edison, New Jersey, where they resided for 36 years.

They began their family in 1987, adopting their daughter Kristen, and in 1989 adopting their son Donald.

She shared her love for the water on Long Island with her children, with whom she enjoyed many summers in Sag Harbor at the wheel of her cherished boat, the LadyDi.

She was known for her passion for dancing, a good cocktail and travel. Those closest to her will remember her for her unwavering zest for life and an undying love and passion for her family.

She had many life-long friends, including several women from her college days with whom she enjoyed many cruises and vacations.

She loved animals, enjoying the company of many pets throughout her years, with her most recent trusty companion being Hunter, the golden retriever, who was never far from her side.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, George F Bender Jr., of Fort Myers; her son, Donald G. Bender of Forked River, New Jersey, and his husband Joseph Bracco; her daughter, Kristen D. Bender of Dix Hills, and her partner Michael Mielko; many nieces, nephews and life-long friends.

Services will be at Yardley & Pino Funeral home in Sag Harbor, with a visitation on Friday, October 25, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with interment at St. Andrews Cemetery in Sag Harbor on Saturday, October 26.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the North Shore Animal League (animalleague.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org).