It has been one year today Kathryn. I miss
you so much. I think of you everyday. Today especially. You were such a
great person. Always thought of everyone else. I can tell you that
today, you will have so many people thinking of you! I love you Kathryn.
~Sarah
Katie Hill
11/20/2006
As I remember Kathryn today especially I
think of all the wonderful times we had together. Kathryn was such a
wonderful friend. She truly was an angel. There is no other way to
describe her. As I have started making friends here in Dayton those
that are close to me know Kathryn's story. For, without knowing
Kathryn, you can't fully know who I am. Kathryn touched so many lives.
I will never forget the smile that brightened the room and my life. Or
the many times we tried to teach Liz anger management. Four square.
Sleepovers. Surprise parties. Dances. Plays. Movies. And the most
spectacular testament to her life the complete outpouring from the
whole community at her wake. That line was tremendous and the memories
and love that it brought out in each of us was exactly what Kathryn did
on a day to day basis. She lived she loved she was an angel. Our angel.
I remember you everyday and love to share the story of your life and
how you touched so many when they ask about the blue bracelet that
graces my wrist every moment. More than once I have felt your angelic
presence. I know you are watching out for us and I can't wait to see
you again.
To Mrs. Bender, Elizabeth and Nick. Know you
are always in my prayers and that the three of you have provided me
with more strength and courage that you will ever know. You are three
of the most amazing people on this earth and love you dearly.
Love in Christ,
Katie
Caitlin Strebing
11/20/2006
Everyone is thinking of you always Kathryn,
you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday, I will never forget this
day, because it is also my birthday. I thought of you a lot this
morning, so I asked one of my friends to come to mass with me at
school.. for you. We all love you and miss you so much!
The Hamman Family
11/20/2006
Doris, Elizabeth,and Nicholas,
You are in our hearts and prayers especially
today! Kathryn continues to touch so many lives in her loving way. We
miss her and are grateful we got to know and spend time with your
special angel.
Our love,
Lisa, David, Jack, and Savannah
Sarah Fitch
11/20/06
I'm torn about how to feel today. First I'm
sad because I realize that when we all
get home to reunite and share stories about college you won't
physically be there
with us, but on the other hand you will be there in spirit and we have
so many
memories to bring smiles to our faces. There are always those great
junior high
years on NPD soccer with your uncle. You, Liz, and I were never so
great at it but
we always managed to have fun just playing around. And then there is
Table 2, the
end closest to the lunchline. There were some good times at that table;
mixing up
everyone's leftovers, potato soup/bagel Tues, and always intense
4-Square. Junior
high also meant filling out "Girlfriend" Books which were far too funny
to look back
on. I will never forget all of our Friday nights at Uno's and how we
would pretend
that we were actually contemplating not getting a brownie bowl even
though we always
knew that we wouldn't leave without one, especially on birthdays. Most
entertaining
was our sleepover the night before senior year, swapping stupid secrets
while
playing "truth or dare, but pretty much just truth" and then in the
morning, wearing
our togas out to breakfast where the old ladies thought we were in a
sorority. I
love and cherish all of the memories I have of the Four Musketeers
together and that
will never go away. You are always a part of that and no matter what
you're my best
friend forever!
Love x 1000000,
Sarah
Kristin Plock
11/20/06
Mrs. Bender, Elizabeth and Nick,
I am sorry I could not be there with you
today; I ve been thinking about you three
all day. Thanks to Kathryn, so many people see how important it is to
live life to
the fullest, just like she did. She did so much and affected so many
people during
her life. I have two great memories of Kathryn:
The first is, I remember the "Too busy to
fcuk" shirt she wore and when I saw her
wearing it I realized Kathryn had grown up so much and it just made me
laugh and
smile (especially when Nick didn't believe that she had that shirt!).
The other
memory I have is when we were playing Cranium and it was Nick, Brad,
Will, Weber and
I playing. We made her play so teams were even and we put her on a team
with Will
and Weber. Her face was so funny when we told her what team she was on.
They almost
beat us too. I hope these memories bring a smile to your face as we all
remember
how amazing Kathryn was.
Kathryn, thank you for teaching me so much
about life. You are an inspiration to so
many.
Love you all,
Kristin
Amy Maxwell
11/20/06
Wow, darling. It's been one year. I can't
believe it. Because of you,
I'm reminded to take advantage of every moment I have, and to just LIVE
life for all
it's worth. You were truly one special girl--I remember how you came up
to NIU for
the open house and how we talked for over an hour--that was so much
fun! I was SO
excited that you were planning to come here and that you would be
continuing in
dance. Kathryn, I only hope I can be an inspiration in as many peoples'
lives as
you have. I'll always remember you and I will see you again someday.
To the Bender family, you are in my prayers
today, and always. God bless you, and may He continue to
strengthen you.
Melissa Imbrogno
11/21/06
We were still in our run for "Angels of
Lemnos" at the College of DuPage. I
was in that show with her brother Nick, and one night after a show, a
few of us went
over to watch some home videos. That was when I had met Kathryn for the
first time.
I actually got the chance to talk to her. I remember the conversation
very well,
too. We talked about the show her brother was in, what show she was
doing at the
time, what her major was going to be, and where she would be going to
college.
After I got the phone call from my best
friend Claire about her passing, just a
couple of weeks after, I could not believe that it was the young,
beautiful girl I
had just met.
I may not have known Kathryn, but even with
that simple conversation I had with her,
I could tell just how special she truly was.
At her wake about one year ago, I remember
thinking to myself just how fortunate I
was to have been able to meet someone as remarkable as Kathryn. She has
touched a
lot of people's lives and will only continue to do so.
I've never met a family like the Bender
family. So strong, so close, and so full of
love and support for one another. Knowing Nick has made me realize that
we really
should cherish every single moment and to not take life for granted.
To the Bender family, you are in my thoughts
and prayers on this day and always.
Uncle Jay
11/21/06
We came to visit you yesterday and each say our special prayer but really
we just wanted to spend a little more time with you. I told your mom that it
doesn't get easier but I knew it wouldn't. I miss and love you very much.