Donna Bender passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  Donna spent her entire career in civilian service working for the United States Air Force as a secretary.  Her life and career took her from the west coast, born in California, through Kansas, Missouri, Washington D.C., up to Canada, and finally to Texas.  There she married and had two children, Douglas Alexander Smith and Coryelle Marcella Smith.  She found the love of her life and a wonderful daddy to her kids in her second marriage to Keith Francis Bender.

The Smith-Bender family loved to adventure together.  From their favorite spot at the Summit near Canyon Lake, the piney woods of Bastrop State Park, to the sun-kissed beaches of the Texas Gulf coast Donna loved to go camping.  Endless nights were spent into the wee hours gathered either around a campfire or a card table, laughing loudly, with friends and family.  Her laugh was easily recognized and will never be forgotten.

Donna had many interests.  She was fascinated with the ancient cultures of Egypt and Asia and loved museums.  She enjoyed traveling across the country in her motorhome.  She was a great artist.  Donna explored every media from charcoal to watercolor, cross-stitch and embroidery.  Her greatest joy was found in quilting.  She could always be found in her studio sewing, creating quilt and sampler to give to her children and friends.  Her art, her creations will forever be cherished by her children.  Donna is famous for saying, "She who dies with the most fabric wins".  Well, she won!

Donna is survived by her husband, Keith Francis Bender, her children, Douglas Alexander Smith and Coryelle Marcella Smith with her husband Michael Kenning.  Step-daughter Susan Polasek with husband Louis Polasek and grandson Scott Polasek.  She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Donald Riney and Celia Garrett, grandson Ryan Polasek, and brother Patrick Riney.  She is also now surrounded by all the dozens of animals she loved in her life; Boston terrier Desty; boxers Duchess, Champion, Beau, Lily, Annie, Lexi, and Sonny; cats Pandy and Patches and numerous other animals.