Wendy L. Bender, 53, of Manheim, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of Edward Hahn, Jr. and Vicki (Krause) Coleman. Wendy was the beloved wife of Robert W. Bender, and they would have celebrated 33 years of marriage this coming November. She was a loving mother to their daughter, Phoebe Plaisted, wife of Derek Plaisted. Wendy loved spending time at the beach, but her soul was intertwined with the forests and mountains. Hiking, foraging or quietly contemplating the wonders of nature, she absorbed the spirit of the woodlands. Wendy's expansive library was filled with naturalistic books, and she loved to share her knowledge with others. Her faith in God was interlaced with the spirit of Mother Nature.