Oct. 13, 1921 — Feb. 28, 2014

Margaret Jean "Scotty" Bender, age 92, of Niles, died at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on Oct. 13, 1921, in Morris, Ill. to Alexander “Alec” and Vivian (Stephens) MacDonald, Sr.

She was graduated from high school in Morris and earned both a bachelors master’s degree from the University of Illinois. She has lived in Niles since 1946, and taught at Niles Community Schools for 38 years.

Scotty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. She was also a member of the Niles Garden Club, Orchard Hills Country Club, the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA where she enjoyed regular exercise classes. She also enjoyed the fellowship of friends over dinner, and her greatest joy was her family.

On Aug. 21, 1948, in Morris she married Donald F. Bender, who also taught in Niles Community Schools and earned statewide recognition in coaching. They celebrated the 61st anniversary of their wedding prior to Don’s death in 2010.

Surviving family include their son, Steve (Amy) Bender of Buchanan; grandchildren, Lauren (Justin) Bentham, Michelle Bender, and Alison (John) Quartironi and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, and by her brother, Robert MacDonald.

The funeral service for Margaret J. Bender will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will be at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. A celebration of life will be offered in the spring at Orchard Hills.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the funeral home beginning at 5:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Scotty may be made to the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.