Diana Bender

Diana Bender, 80, of Washington, Texas went to be with her Lord on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in College Station, Texas at Baylor Scott and White Hospital after a long illness.

Diana was born in Houston, Texas to Henry Leigh and Valine Bartlett on September 10, 1942.

She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas in 1960 and attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia for 2 years. She continued her study of voice at the University of Houston, where she sang in opera workshop productions. She also sang at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, where she and her husband Robert were married in 1964.

Diana’s many hobbies included collecting one of the world’s largest Nutcracker collections, which includes many made by the famous German manufacturer, Steinbach. She passionately supported animal rescue and generously funded multiple rescue operations including True Blue Animal Rescue in her hometown and Animal World New Mexico. She kept many rescue animals, including dogs, cats, and horses on her country property in Washington, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Ann Montagne.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert Bender; nephew, Michael Montagne and wife Tammy; niece, Laura Magee and husband Kevin; great nieces and nephews, Joshua, Julie, David and wife Sarah, Timothy, Abigail, Elijah and wife Bailey, Ruth, Caleb, Hannah, Malachi, Susanna Faith, and Deborah Magee; and a great-great niece and nephew.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to True Blue Animal Rescue in Washington, Texas.