Kathryn Mary:
To say that I miss you isn't the question. It's the hurt of not having
you around that I must live with for an eternity. It's an honor that I
am not only your uncle, but also your Godfather. Since you have been
gone, I often think about those things we did together,and soccer
always comes to mind. I was very happy the day you asked me to coach
you and it was fun to watch you play. I will always miss your sweet
smile and your ability to make other people happy around you. You,
Elizabeth and Nick have always been like my other children, and I
promised your Dad I would watch over all of you. I am sad that you left
so soon, but I know that your Dad is happy you are with him.
Ray: I know you will take care of her for us
down here until that time when we can all meet again. Heavenly Father:
I'm not sure why this happened but if you love Kathryn half as much as
we do, it will be enough to last til the end of time.
With all my Love,
Uncle Jay
Gale Ganet
03/06/06
I first saw Kathryn on stage at Naperville
North. I watched her talent grow with each production. I will remember
her best, though, for her inviting my son Max to the Spring dance at
North last year. When Max, my husband and I arrived to the house for
pictures, Max realized he forgot her flowers, so I DASHED home to get
them. When I returned I found out that Kathryn had forgotten his
flowers as well and someone had gone back to get those...which turned a
tense situation into a funny one. She looked absolutely stunning and
she made a lasting, wonderful memory for Max.
I want my kids to learn from Kathryn how
powerful and lasting kindness and sweetness will always be.
Michael Kaffka
03/06/06
Kathryn was my dance partner for West Side
Story and Kiss Me Kate. She was always a better dancer than I was. I
could never quite get it as well as she did. I remember how light she
was when I did lifts with her. She knew what she was doing.
Kyle Sauer
03/06/06
Kathryn has gone to all of my schools since
kindergarten, and I've had a lot of friends that knew her, and were
greatly affected by her life.
I've only talked to her a few times in my
life but what I saw was a sweet and lovely teenage girl. Mostly shy,
but a modest shy, the kind that made you want to be around her.
Much love I send to her and her family, as
well as all of the people affected by her.
Claire Sara
03/07/06
I didn't know you as well as many did, and I
wasn't as close to you as many were, but I knew you well enough to know
that you are one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and probably
ever will. I'll never forget the day I spent with you all at the
Falconio's. I didn't really know you guys too well yet, and you just
made me feel so welcome and hung out with me while everyone else was
swimming, and listened intently to the pointless things I had to say.
You were such good fun to giggle with. Thank you so much for sharing
your family with me. I love them with all my heart, and pray for them
every day. I know you're up there watching over all of them, doing the
thing you love, dancing, for Jesus. I love you Kathryn.
The young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I
will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. - Jeremiah 31:13
Morgan Flatt
03/07/06
We will all miss you Kathryn.
Allie Brown
03/10/06
She was a great dancer!!!! Also my sister
loved her as a dance teacher. She is still in our hearts! WE will miss
her soo much!
Nicholas Bender
03/11/06
Many of you have heard this story...but here
it is for those of you that haven't and because it's one I'll never
forget...
At my cousin John Jo's wedding last May I
was an usher and Elizabeth and Kathryn were readers for the Prayers of
the Faithful(responded to by Lord Hear Our Prayer). The story(and
problems) begin with the fact that Elizabeth and Kathryn were in charge
of getting the little kids to the church from Jill and Jeff's house
about 20 minutes away.
All of us know that we could not wait to
start the wedding...the time came and we started the
processions...missing a couple aunts and uncles, Elizabeth, Kathryn,
and the kids. About 5 minutes later I look to the back of the church
and see my sisters. As the usher, I walked back there to show them
their seats. Elizabeth had a look of worry on her face as she told me,
"We forgot the sheet." I then told her to go get it...forgetting they
didn't come from our house.
Realizing there was no time to leave to get
it, I told them to sit, knowing how much they loved weddings, as I went
to the wedding assistant to get another copy of the readings.
Go figure-the chuch didn't have another copy
of the readings. These particular prayers were ripped out of the book
they had. The time for them to go up to read was approaching as I went
to break the news to them that they would have to go up there and make
the prayers up. And my first thoughts were haha, they forgot them, now
they had to fix it. But as soon as I told them, Elizabeth turned to
Kathryn and said "I'm not going up there." And Kathryn kind of took a
breath and just turned forward for a second with a look of fear and
worry. My thoughts then changed to oh no...that's my little sister, and
I know she's scared to go up there. As scared as I was, I knew that I'd
rather take the pressure and nerves into my hands than let her go up
there scared. I decided that I would go up to say the prayers at the
risk of looking stupid to cover their backs.
Although rough, I made up the words to the
prayers and got through them without anyone even knowing that I had
made them up. That night I danced with each of my sisters and I'll
never forget the look of relief and thanks that appeared on both of
their faces knowing that their brother was always there for them.
Kathryn- now it's your turn to watch our
backs
Nina Ganet
3/13/06
I knew Kathryn Bender through my brother
Max. I always saw Kathryn in the
plays at North and she was such a great actress. Her dancing in
Anything Goes, every
time I saw her, she was always smiling and being so kind to everyone
she met,
even if she didn't completely know them, like me. I remember spying on
my brother when
he was going to spring with Kathryn so we could see all the dresses.
Kathryn looked
beautiful. Kathryn has changed my life, to be the kind of girl that can
be herself.
Kathryn Bender will be in my heart and in my family's forever.
Nina
Leitha Walling
3/14/06
Panda girl. The only reason I took as much
video footage of the Pandas
while I was in China in 04 was because of you, Kathryn. I was so
excited to share
the panda video on my laptop with you. I just missed you the first time
I came over
to your home, but caught up with you the second time. While shooting
the video I
kept saying my girlfriend's daughter is going to love this. How I wish
you were
there to experience having a baby panda sit in your lap. Oh I looked at
so many
panda things trying to figure out what to bring back to you. I knew you
already had
plenty of stuffed pandas. That year it was the wood cut the next year
in China I
brought back the key ring. A teenage driver would want a panda key
chain. Now I
have it on my key chain since your mom gave it back to me. We both
cried and hugged.
I was speechless. I didn't know it had a bell like ring in it. Every
time I use my
keys, every time I hear that ring coming from the panda key chain I
think of you.
I
remember the time I shared my video with you I asked you when did you
get pretty? Kathryn was always so cute to me, and then all of a sudden
she was this pretty young
woman. You are loved and continue to live brightly in so many hearts
that you
touched and are continuing to touch.