Mary Ellen Bender Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mary Ellen Bender (Southern Pines, North Carolina), born in Leonia, New Jersey, who passed away on January 29, 2026, at the age of 86, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mary Ellen Bender to pay them a last tribute.
Though Mary Ellen may no longer walk beside us, her memory will forever be enshrined in the fabric of the lives of those Mary Ellen touched, a beacon of light guiding us through the darkness. In her absence, her spirit lives on — a gentle whisper in the breeze, a ray of sunlight on a cloudy day, a reminder that love knows no boundaries.
She is survived by: her children, Lee Bock (Sarah) and Melody Thomas (BJ); and her grandchildren, Kate Bock, Sam Bock and Kaylee Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bennett College (https://www.bennett.edu) (https://www.bennett.edu) or Southern Pines United Methodist Church (https://southernpinesumc.org) (https://southernpinesumc.org).
