Ruth Colleen Daugherty Bender

Ruth Colleen Dougherty Bender (Connie) passed away December 20, 2014. Connie was born on September 23, 1923 to Roy and Ruth Dougherty in Seymour, Iowa. She was raised in Des Moines, Iowa with her seven siblings. Having lost both parents by the time Connie was 17, she started working after graduating high school. In January of 1948, she and a girlfriend headed West to take jobs working at Hanford in Washington state. At a St. Patrick's Day dance that March, she met her future husband, James K. Bender. They were married December 18, 1948.

As a young couple they traveled the world, living 1.5 years in India with their 3 young children. She continued her travels throughout her life. Connie became very involved with local and state politics when her son, Rick, served in the State Legislature as both Representative and Senator for 18 years. Many of those years she volunteered in the Reception Room at the State Captiol. She also loved Seattle sports teams including Husky football, Mariners and Seahawks. We will all miss her beautiful smile, wit and sense of humor but most of all her love.

Connie was predeceased by her husband, James K. Bender (former Executive Secretary of the King County Labor Council) 1987, and five of her seven siblings. She is survived by her two sisters, Hazel Waters and Thelma Waltz of Iowa; her four children, Rick Bender (Carla), Debbie Oatey (Lee), Beckie Hill (Mike), and James K. Bender II (Dayna); seven grandchildren, Alisa King (Zach), Lane Oatey (Lian), Ryan Smith, Derek Bender (Kelly), Claire Oatey, Nicolette Bender, and James K. Bender III; three great-grandchildren, Kolvin and Hudson King, and Gwyneth Oatey.

Private services will be held.