Geraldine Bender Lopez "Jay"

Geraldine “Jay” Bender Lopez passed away peacefully Sunday, November 9, 2014. She was with members of her family who gathered to be with her as she began her final phase of life on earth towards her journey to heaven. She was an American citizen born in Ft. Stotsenburg, Luzon, Philippines on May 5, 1918. The daughter of a successful German-Irish businessman (Francis A. Bender) and a Filipina laundress (Mercedes Lopez), she was the last surviving child in her family of three sisters and five brothers. Her 96 ½ years of life was overall well-lived. She suffered tragedy during World War II in the loss of her first husband, Bienvenido Concepcion, and her brother Frank Bender, both killed by the Japanese. During that time, she spent four years with her four eldest children hiding in the jungles of the Philippines to escape capture. She was brave and courageous and helped get food and information to American POW’s. After the war in the Philippines at what was then called Clark Air Field, she met Manuel “Lito” Lopez from Nogales, Arizona, a U.S. Air Force sergeant whom she married and, ultimately, moved to Tucson, Arizona with him. They homesteaded in Tucson in 1950 and had four children together. Jay is survived by her eight children: Skip Concepcion (Hilde); Jane Mitchell (Charles); Merle B. Concepcion; Bienvenido B. Concepcion, Jr.; Manuel F. Lopez (Norma); Michael R. Bender; Rosalie Mercedes Bender Lopez; and Girlie Lopez Forman (Ray). She has 26 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. For many years, Jay took photos of her family members and made photo albums for them. Starting with her travels to Germany in 1954, she began collecting dolls and during her lifetime amassed an extensive doll collection. Later in life, she enjoyed the sounds of slot machines and went to casinos whenever she could coax anyone into taking her. She held many superstitions and had many sayings. She fervently shared them with her children and others influencing them in some way, shape, or form. Jay loved to cook and her kitchen became every visitor’s delight and dream destination. The family wishes to thank Casa de la Luz Hospice and especially Tomasa Manjarrez, her caregiver, for her care in her final months. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at South Lawn Mortuary, 5401 S. Park Avenue. Mass is on Friday, November 14, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 602 W. Ajo Way. Interment to follow at South Lawn Cemetery.