I just started talking dance at Steps and it
is very sad about how our teacher tells stories about you. I didn't
know you but it feels like I've known you for my whole life. Your story
touched my heart and I'm sure it will touch many more!
Evyn Schaffer
10/01/2006
Even though I don't take dance at Steps, my
friends tell me stories about Kathryn and even though I don't know her,
I felt like I've known her for ALL of my life. Her stories touched my
heart - you know about how her smile made everyone else smile and it
touched everyone's heart - the stories touched my heart and I'm sure it
will touch many more!!
Staci Molinar
10/13/06
I remember last summer during tryouts for
senior goup, laughing and doing
"under the fences." It was our senior year, what is supposed to be one
of the best
years of your life, and you helped make it just that for me. I remember
that Sunday
morning during our dress rehersal we were arguing about whos fault it
was that we
got to wear tights (I still say it was mine :) ).
You helped me to realize so many things
about myself and life in general, and for
that I am so grateful.
I have a picture of you on my desk, and
everytime I'm having a rough day , or a hard
time writing a paper, I look at it and think about how you would have
pushed
through. You always pushed through. I never once saw you give up, and
now I won't
either becuase of YOU. You make me want to do more with my life.
I think about you all the time Kathryn, you
have inspired me in more ways that I can
say.
You better keep working on those under the
fences up there <3
Sarah Smith
10/17/06
I didn't know you that well. You lived in my
neighborhood, you went to Naper,
Washington and North, and so did I. You were two grades ahead of me,
but I talked to
you a few times and then when I got to Treble Choir you were there! You
were always
an amazing person. Your smile could light up a room any day! You always
thought of
others before yourself. Even though we weren't great friends you
changed me as a
person and taught me so many things. You taught me to never give up and
to work my
hardest for my dreams. I'm always thinking of you day and night! You
will be in my
heart forever!
LOVE always and forever,
Sarah
Eileen Lannon
10/23/06
Dear Doris, I was just looking through some
of the pictures that Kathryn's
friends have sent in. Aren't you glad that you let her go to London?
The pictures
and stories are just great. The more stories that I read, the more I
realize how
many lives Kathryn has touched and changed....all for the better. I
know that you
are proud of her.
To Kathryn's friends: thank you for sharing
your stories and pictures.
Tierney Persico
11/4/06
We all miss Kathryn so much. She was loved
as a dance teacher. Kathryn
will still be in our hearts and we will never forget her! <3
Whitney Bieber
11/7/06
I never knew Kathryn or the Bender family
personally. I was a year ahead of
Kathryn and always admired her and Nick for being able to preform in
the school
plays. It was always something I was interested in but never had the
guts to step
out of my comfort zone to try. I can not imagine how hard it must be to
live without
Kathryn. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bender family and all of
the people
who love and miss Kathryn.
Alicia Turner
11/9/06
Well, I knew Kathryn from Steps. This is
hard for me to write because I
have been grieving over her dealth for almost a full year now. I miss
her a lot. She
and I co-taught a class together and hung out basically all friday
evenings, because
we both were working. Kathryn and I had a very deep conversation on her
last Friday
before she past that next Sunday. She told me her plans for her future
and how she
dreamed of opening a studio with Elizabeth. She was going to go to
school with me in
the fall at Northern. It's hard for me to think of how much I would
have loved to
have her around here. I miss her everyday.
Mom, Elizabeth and Nicholas
11/20/06
~Kathryn Mary Bender~ April
15, 1988 ~ November 20, 2005
In Our
Hearts
We thought of you with love
today,
But that
is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And the
days before that, too.
We think of you in silence.
We often
speak your name.
Now all we have are memories,
And your
picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
With
which we'll never part.
God has you in His keeping.
We have
you in our heart.
~ Author Unknown
Ashley Hiltenbrand
11/20/06
Right now, I'm remembering Kathryn introducing me to the wonderful world of
EL Fudge cookies--the ones with the elves, and all that delicious chococlate
squished between two exquisite cookies. Open campus lunch was one of the best
things that ever happened to seniors, and Kathryn and I had a blast! They have some
good food in the Bender household...crunchy peanut butter and the honey wheat twist
pretzels. I had some of the best PB&J sandwiches with her, for sure. And that
never-ending bowl of candy in the basement! I can't say enough about movie nights
in the basement, we watched a bunch of good ones.
I taped some really great newspaper photos of her to her locker around the time of
the Angels Fall production last year. People always gave her locker a second glance
when they saw her face right on it, and it always made us laugh.
There's no doubt in my mind that Kathryn and I would have remained the best of
friends throughout college. We'd had such a fun time since first meeting at that
wonderful Washington Junior High lunch table #2 and I miss her every day!