Obituary of Jeanette E. Bender
With profound sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Jeanette E. Bender, aged 63, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. Jeanette's final moments were spent in the comforting presence of her beloved husband Bill and devoted daughter Latoya, marking a serene conclusion to her vibrant life journey.
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, to Edward Roosevelt Jones and Alberta Taylor Jones, Jeanette's early years were filled with the joys of exploration and learning in her hometown. A graduate of Plainfield High School, she was the Vice President of her Senior Class of 1978. She showcased her athletic spirit on the track team and was a vital member of the Color Guard, before pursuing higher education at Seton Hall University, where she earned a bachelor's degree with a Double Major in Communications and Psychology.
Jeanette's professional path was as diverse as it was impactful. Her passion for education and children led her to serve as an elementary and substitute teacher, touching many young lives with her wisdom and kindness. In addition, she was a Sunday School Teacher throughout her life at several churches. She then pursued different sales positions and later on, was employed at IDT, a telecommunications company, where she excelled as a training manager. For the past 16 years, Jeanette co-owned Asset Protection Advisors Inc., in Piscataway, New Jersey, with her husband, where she helped thousands of Seniors as a Medicare Insurance Broker.
Her Christian faith was a cornerstone of her life. Jeanette was a dedicated member of several churches, starting with Calvary Baptist in Plainfield, where she began her journey of faith, and then Calvary Chapel in Old Bridge, New Jersey, Calvary Chapel New Brunswick, before becoming a devoted member at Calvary Chapel in Middlesex, New Jersey, for the past eight years. Additionally, she found a spiritual home at The Chapel in Ormond Beach, Florida, where she lived for part of the year, It was through these communities of faith that Jeanette lived her values of kindness, love, compassion, and service to others.
For many years, she volunteered her time as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, as well as a volunteer at FISH in Piscataway. In later years in Florida, she served at Halifax Urban Ministries in Daytona Beach helping the Homeless and Food Insecure families.
Jeanette's relationship with her husband, Bill, was marked by a quiet strength and a deep, enduring bond. Having been friends for many years, their companionship blossomed into love, a testament to the beauty found in the simple, steadfast connections that enrich our lives. Married in 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida, they shared a life filled with mutual respect, love, and the joy of shared experiences.
Jeanette found profound peace and solace at the beach, a place where the vastness of the ocean reminded her of the magnificence of God's creation. For her, the beach was not just a place of relaxation but a sanctuary where the rhythmic waves and the endless horizon brought a sense of calm and perspective. This love for the seaside was a cherished aspect of their Christmases spent in Florida, where the beauty of the coast was a backdrop to joyful celebrations. After delightful days soaking in the sun and serenity at the beach, Jeanette and Bill, along with friends, often concluded their day with a visit to their favorite seafood restaurants. These moments, filled with laughter, good food, and the warmth of companionship, were treasured times for Jeanette, encapsulating her love for life's simple pleasures.
An avid baker, Jeanette delighted in creating treats for her family, especially her famous brownies and cakes. Her love for animals was epitomized by her devotion to Kopper, her cherished Yorkie.
Jeanette's legacy is carried on by her loving husband, Bill; her daughter, Latoya Jones; her siblings, Carolyn Jones, Edward Jones and his wife, Latasha, and Cynthia Jones; her nieces and nephews, Tonya Williams, Antonette Nelson, Kristy Wilson, Philip Jones, Taylor Jones, Andy Freitag, and Stephanie Freitag; her great-nephews and nieces, Ashley, Jasmine, Mike, CJ, Tahjir, Cedric Jr., Lani, Zoe, and Olivia; her father-in-law, Albert Bender; her sister-in-law, Nancy Bender; her Aunts, Silvia, Emma, Louise, and Alice, and her Uncles, Wyatt and Ernest. She is also further survived by many cousins.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mount Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A Funeral Service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 10 AM, followed by interment at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Voice of the Martyrs or Compassion International, two charities close to Jeanette's heart.
Jeanette's departure was sudden, leaving us far too soon after a courageous battle with cancer. Known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the causes she believed in, Jeanette's memory will forever inspire us to live with compassion and to make a meaningful difference in the world. She will be dearly missed but remembered always for the kindness, love, and light she brought into our lives.
