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.
Dottie (Nana) will always hold a special place in our hearts. We spent so many wonderful times together with both our families. She was like a second grandmother to our children. She is at rest with Bud and her Gregory.
I love you forever and ever, Nana.
Such a wonderful person Nana was.Love hugs for all her family.Dorothy you will be forever in our hearts 🙏😇
So sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Peace.i know she will be missed. God bless.
You were everyone’s Nana and we were lucky to have you in our lives. You were spunky, sassy, and spoke your mind – and we loved it. You will be forever in our heats and never forgotten ❤️😇
May your Mum Rest In Peace and the Blessed Assurance of God’s Loving Embrace for all eternity.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know we keep you close in prayer 🙏❤️🙏
Decon Frank,
Condolences to you and your family.
I know your mom was a very special lady, may your memories bring you comfort and may your mom rest in peace.
Deacon Frank & Family,
We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. God bless you and your incredible family and may she rest in eternal peace. Sending our prayers from Damascus, MD.
Our deepest sympathy, Deacon Frank, to you and your family at the passing of your dear mom. Sending our love and prayers.
I never got the good fortune to meet the deceased, but I have had the pleasure of knowing some of her family, and while we never met, I also felt a bit of the sting of loss, and to that, I am no stranger. Farewell, Mrs. Dorothy Julia Ross Bendel.
I had the good fortune to work next to Dorothy at CSB in my first job right out of high school! When my mom didn’t understand me, Dorothy did. I remember thinking her children were quite lucky to have Dorothy for their mom!
She was kind and funny and smart and loving, and and and.. A good woman in every way!
I never heard her say an unkind word to anyone! And her best friend was BB Batista!
She often offered me a ride home (a family member would pick us up) when we worked late on Thursdays
(when I lived in the opposite direction)!
I loved her telling the story about the young man who approached her window to rob the bank! I wish I was there to see it! What a wonderful story! If I remember correctly, she described talking softly and calmly to him, assuring him she would take care of everything, and he just folded his hands on the counter while she called the authorities!
I hope her golden years were kind to her. She deserved the best! Michelle LeMoine