Anne Treager Bender of State College, Pennsylvania, died peacefully at her home on Monday, May 1, 2017, as a result of complications from pneumonia. She was 88. Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to William Lytle and Edna Jeffrey Treager, Anne was the youngest of three children. She graduated from Greensburg High School and moved to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where she received her teaching degree at the Lock Haven State Teacher's College (now Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania). Upon graduating from Lock Haven, Anne moved to Arlington, Virginia where she taught 2nd grade for several years.
In 1958, Anne moved to State College to teach at the Frazier Street School. There, she interviewed for and was selected to participate in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange which took her to Colchester in the county of Essex, UK, for a year.
Upon her return to State College, Anne pursued her master's in education at Penn State. In 1962, she met and married, Paul D. Bender, a State College native. They stayed in State College where they would raise their family (three daughters, Meg, Jennifer and Betsy) and remain happily married and ensconced in the State College community.
Anne was a member of State College Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon. She also volunteered for the former Centre Community Hospital (now Mt. Nittany Medical Center) and for the American Heart Association. First and foremost, Anne was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and aunt. She was an avid reader, dog lover, especially dachshunds, and enjoyed antiquing, perusing the Belleville flea market and gardening. She was happiest when spending time with extended family and her many dear friends. In more recent years, she enjoyed spending time on the Chesapeake Bay with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Surviving Anne is her husband, Paul, of 55 years; her daughters: Margaret “Meg” Bender of Bethesda, Maryland; Jennifer B. Kaminski and husband Michael of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; Betsy “Bets” Bender of Annapolis, Maryland, and three granddaughters: Jessica and Ericka Kaminski of Mt. Laurel, and Sarah Margaret Miller of Bethesda. Anne is pre-deceased by her parents, William and Edna; her sister Bess Treager Clarke (formerly of State College) and by her brother, William “Bill” Lytle Treager, Jr., of Greensburg.
A memorial service celebrating Anne's life will be held at the State College Presbyterian Church at 11am on Monday, May 8, 2017 officiated by Rev. Dean Lindsey. The family will receive visitors from 9:30am-11am at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne's memory to: the State College Presbyterian Church or the Centre Foundation.
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Condolences may be offered and the guest book signed online at www.kochfuneralhome.com.