JENNIFER SMILEY BENDER

Jennifer Smiley Bender left the world behind and went up to the spirit in the sky on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Born in New York in 1962 and having lived in Ohio, California, and New Mexico, Jennifer was always open to new experiences. She loved to read and travel, and enjoyed a robust political or philosophical debate. She was an intellectual without being pretentious, and a perpetual student. She was happiest when learning, and loved her time spent in other countries, experiencing other cultures and seeing the sights the world had to offer. While her passing was sudden, and the loss is acute, her family knows that she is happily on to her next escapade, for as one of her favorite characters, Peter Pan, said, “to die will be an awfully big adventure.”

True to her middle name, she greeted life, and others, every day with a smile on her face. No matter the situation she faced, her spirit rarely flagged. She had the world’s biggest heart and always made space for whomever needed it most, from the youth she worked with at Bellefaire JCB, to her friends and family, and even complete strangers. She cared about others before herself. Even when it was beyond her means to do so, she was always giving whatever she could to others, be it an ear, a bear hug, or whatever she could spare. She was perpetually dropping off little gifts to people “because it made me think of you” and remembered everyone’s favorite everything just to be able to surprise them on occasion. She took massive pride in the fact she donated well over 200 units of blood in her lifetime. It was one of the many ways she was always trying to help others and the world.

Jennifer was tough and tenacious while being soft and kind. She lived life on her own terms, and refused to let the world change her. The most important gift she shared with everyone around her was to follow your heart; everyone who came in contact with her walked away reminded of the power of standing in their own truth.

She is preceded in death by her parents, C. Earl and Hildegarde Bender, and eldest brother, William Bender. She is survived by her only child, Susannah (Joseph DelGallo) Bender, brother Clifford (Ryoko) Bender, and sister Amy (Michael) Vincent along with a host of nieces, nephews, and younger generations who love and miss her very much.

She was adamant that upon her death, she wanted a party—nothing somber or sad, but a happy event with plenty of friends and family, song, and good food and drink. Consistent with her wishes and her free spirit, in lieu of a traditional funeral, a celebration of life—complete with rock music and laughter—will be held on October 5, 2024 from 3-6p at the Community Room on the 2nd floor of the former Goodyear Headquarters, located at 1201 E Market Street in Akron. Please come ready to share your happiest memories and celebrate her wonderful legacy.

Flowers may be sent to 234 Storer Ave., Akron, OH 44302. In lieu of any donations, please consider donating blood at your local American Red Cross.