Dorothy Julia Ross Bendel, 89, died peacefully on Friday, March 23, 2018.  Her parents were Sydney John Ross and Mary Katherine Myer Ross.  Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, NY; and also lived in New Haven, North Haven, and Wallingford, CT.  She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Francis “Bud” Bendel.  She is also predeceased by her brother, Wilfred Thomas Ross; her sister, Julia Pfingstl; and, tragically, by one son, Gregory Bendel.  Her living children are Mark (Linda) of Crystal River, FL; Francis (Isabel) of Germantown, MD; David (Gail) of North Haven; Mary Nepton (Denis) of Wallingford; and Michael (Shirley) of Wallingford.  Dorothy was employed at the Connecticut Savings Bank for 21 years.  Once during an attempted robbery, she refused to hand over any money.  The robber was apprehended leaving the bank—empty handed.  Dorothy was an active member of St. Francis Parish in New Haven and St. Barnabas in North Haven.  Due to poor health, she was less active at Our Lady of Fatima in Wallingford.  Dorothy noted that the human race is improving.  Her six children are average, her seventeen grandchildren are above average, and her (so far) seven great-grandchildren are awesome.  In recent years, Dorothy became a sports nut who never missed watching the UConn Huskies play basketball or Roger Federer play tennis. 

Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Tuesday morning, March 27th at 11:00.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Barnabas Church at 11:30.  Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.  The visiting hours will be Monday, March 26th from 5 to 8 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Food Bank, 2 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT  06492.