Mary Ellen Bender of Arnold, Maryland passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2021 from a lengthy combination of illnesses. She was 58 years old. She was born in Annapolis and was raised in Severna Park, Maryland. She moved to Arnold in 1999. Her parents, Randy and Erma Bender operated Bender's Nursery. She attended Millersville Special School and Marley Glen Special School and worked for over 30 years at OBI, Inc. She was a lifetime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Severna Park and a long-time participant in the S.P.R.E.D. Program there. She enjoyed bowling with H.A.P., swimming in the Special Olympics, dancing, working at OBI, Inc., and being with family and friends. She is survived by her brother Randy Bender and his wife Andrea of Arlington, Virginia, her nephew Joseph Bender of Dumfries, Virginia and niece Virginia Kornmeyer and her husband Patrick and great-niece, Eleanor and great-nephew, Vincent of Unionville, Virginia, and her longtime caregiver, Mia Keith.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021 from 6-9pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A. 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146. A funeral mass will be held the following day, Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146. The burial will be held on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at 11 am at Hillcrest Cemetery, 10901 Mason Rd NE, Cumberland, MD 21502.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region and OBI, inc.