Ramona M. Bender

Ramona M. Bender (née Fantini), a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, at the age of 79.

Born on October 10, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mona was the daughter of Margaret and Eugene Fantini and grew up in Overbrook alongside her brother Gene and sister Linda. She attended West Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, where she began forming the foundation of her devout faith and compassionate spirit that would guide her throughout her life. 
In 1968, Mona married, the love of her life, Paul Bender, a Navy corpsman, with whom she shared 40 wonderful years until his passing. Together they built a loving home and raised two children who were the center of her world. Mona treasured their time together, shared countless special moments enjoying dinners out, trips to the shore, and attending concerts. The stories about their life together were a testament to their deep bond, devotion and enduring love. In fact, when talking about Paul, she would often say they were married for 58 years, as she felt she was still married until her passing and beyond. Her life and memories with Paul brought joy to her days.

A devout Catholic throughout her life, Mona found solace in prayer and worship. Her faith was unwavering, providing strength during challenging times. She loved attending church and found peace in connecting with God. Mona's intellect and wit were matched only by her generosity of spirit; she had an innate ability to make people feel valued and cared for. Mona’s vibrant personality shone through in everything she did. She had a passion for watching the Phillies and Eagles games, cheering them on, and booing when necessary (which let’s be honest, was often), with unmatched enthusiasm. She enjoyed trips to the shore and casino with her sister Linda; moments filled with side-splitting laughter and sisterhood. 

Her selflessness and generosity were hallmarks of her character; she was an incredible mother who always put her family first. Mona found immense joy in spending time with her children Jenni and Josh, through countless hours of attending sporting events, plays, musicals, and art exhibitions. Her family was the center of her world, and she took great pride in their happiness, love and accomplishments. That pride was not exclusive to her children, but also extended whole heartedly to their families, as she loved spending time their spouses Edmund and Jes, as well as their dogs Bunny and Fiona.
In recent years, Mona faced health challenges with strength and resilience. Her courage inspired those around her as she fought until the end. While she will be deeply missed by all who knew her, there is comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with Paul. May Mona’s memory bring comfort to those who loved her as they reflect on the beautiful legacy she leaves behind; a legacy of love, faith, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family. May her kindness continue to inspire us all. 

She is survived by her her son Josh, daughter-in-law Jes; daughter Jenni, son-in-law Edmund; and her sister Linda. She is predeceased by her husband Paul; parents Margaret and Eugene Fantini; and brother Gene.

A memorial gathering for Mona will be held on June 4, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:30pm PM at Vraim Funeral Home 66 S. State Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082. Her memorial service will begin at 1:30 in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Animal Friends of Lansdowne (P.O. Box 869, Lansdowne PA, 19050), https://animalfriendsoflansdowne.org/ or The American Lung Association, http://www.lung.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ramona M. Bender, please visit our floral store.