I remember Kathryn when she was just a
little girl and even then she always wore a smile of her face. The
entire Bender family has showed me the importance of sticking together
as a family and that loves prevails against all. I have seldom seen
such wonderful family dynamics like the Bender family shows.
There are no anwsers to the "whys" of life
that many of us ask repeatedly throughout our lives. This site and all
the wonderful things it does gives meaning and purpose to such a tragic
event.
The Benders, Falconios, and all others who
are touched by Kathrynn's life are in my prayers always. Love to all of
you..
Jodie
05/15/2006
As most of us know, Elizabeth graduated
from the University of Illinois this past weekend with a degree in
Engineering. Although Kathryn was not physically with us, I know she
was watching Elizabeth as she walked across that stage. She would be so
proud of Elizabeth and all of her accomplishments. Anyway, with all of
these guestbook submissions, it is mentioned how much Kathryn touched
someone's life. I just wanted to mention, that Elizabeth is not only
Kathryn's sister, but her role model and her best friend. And I know
for Kathryn, Elizabeth played a huge role in making her the great
person she was. So to Elizabeth....congratulations and thank you for
being such an inspiration to Kathryn.
Kim LaVelle
5/17/06
I hope you enjoy the show tonight Kathryn!
We wish
more than anything that you could be with us, senior group just isn't
the same.
We love & miss you angel so much.
Nichole Quinn
5/17/06
Attended the showcase tonight at COD. It was
a wonderful show for a
wonderful cause!
Leitha Walling
5/18/06
Doris, The First Annual Kathryn Bender
Showcase was wonderful last night! Elizabeth did a
wonderful job! She did it! Although, I am sure she had a lot of support
from Cathy
and others, it was done with great professionalism. Nicholas did a
great job with
the support of his friends on the tech end. The time just flew. The
talent
and the variety were so impressive. Tara just loved it! Elizabeth's
dance in
honor of her sister was beautiful and moving. The children coming out
around
Elizabeth was so sweet. There were so many heart-touching songs and
dances.
I was floored by the raffle baskets. People
are amazing. It so touches my heart to
think of all the effort that went into those raffle baskets. I am so
glad Karen
won the garden one. How appropriate considering her yellow garden this
year. I
think Kathryn had something to do with that! Then Justin winning the
dance one with
the toe shoes was so special since I believe he did that for Elizabeth,
at least
according to Jodie.
So many of your family members were able to
make it, which is so loving and
supportive. Although no one will ever be as special as the individual
that Kathryn
was and nothing will ever hold a candle to her being here and blessing
all that she
touches, her family has so honorably kept her spirit alive.
Love, Leitha
Eileen Lannon
5/26/06
To all the dancers who performed in the 1st
Annual Kathryn Bender Memorial
Dance Showcase: You are all so talented!! I thoroughly enjoyed watching
all of you.
I have spent the last 25 years going to soccer and basketball games,
swimming and
volleyball meets, but never a dance event. Thanks to all of you for
opening a whole
new, wonderful world of dance! I am already looking forward to the next
one...
Auntie
6/1/06
Kathryn-
We are all so proud of you our Little Angel
in Heaven!! For, in our hearts, it is your
graduation day. I miss you more and more as time goes by.
Love you
ALWAYS AND
FOREVER!
Auntie
Mom, Elizabeth and Nicholas
6/1/06
This is what we wrote for Kathryn to be put
in the senior ad section of her
yearbook and we would like to share it with you today, on her
graduation...
One
heart
One smile
One life
One moment in time
One chance to change your world
Go with an open heart.
Smile.
Touch a life.
Change the world.
~Nicholas
"Who can say if I've been
changed for the better? I do
believe I have been changed for the better And
because I knew you... Because
I knew you... Because
I knew you... I have
been changed for good."
~Wicked
Our Sweet Kathryn,
How can we possibly tell you how proud we
are of everything you have accomplished in
your life? It was short and sweet, but it was perfect. Through your
acting,
singing, and dancing, you taught us that the world is our stage, our
words are our
music, and life is a dance. You wanted to teach children now you are
teaching the
world. Thank you for teaching us the greatest lesson of all, to love
unconditionally.
The one thing that so many people have said
through all of this is, "I will never
forget that smile." Did you ever think that a smile could touch so
many? Your
smile brightened our lives and the lives of those you knew. In every
picture we
have of you, that smile is always there. It was so constant, that when
we close our
eyes, we can see it perfectly.
We always knew you were a blessing to us and
now we see what a blessing you were to
so many others. You have changed so many lives for the better and now
it is up to
all of us to carry on and share all the positive things you have taught
us. Thank
you for the seventeen years of joy, happiness, and memories. Those
moments will
forever be engraved in our hearts.
All our love forever,
Mom, Elizabeth and Nicholas
Jessica Rotheiser
6/11/06
Kathryn was an amazing person! I never really got to meet her, but whenever
she was dancing I was always watching her. She is an inspiration to me because she
was an amazing dancer and she always tried her hardest.
Jaclyn Montagano
6/12/06
Kathryn, We all missed you at the recital this year. It just wasn't the same without you and
your smile. We all miss you and wish you were here still with us!