Arliene Toby) Bender

Arliene (Toby) Bender, age 85, of Sandy Hook, formerly of Fairfield, wife of the late Clark Bender, passed away peacefully Friday, December 29, 2017 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Born in Bridgeport, Toby had been a Fairfield resident for most of her life prior to moving to Sandy Hook 25 years ago. She was a 1951 graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School. Toby devoted her life to raising her five beloved children. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother who always placed the needs of others before her own. She loved animals of all kinds and always looked forward to working around her yard and feeding the birds. Survivors include her children who will miss her dearly, Deborah Bender of Evansville, IN, Kym Bender-Schmidt and her husband Wayne of Shelton, Heidi Bender Verrillo of Fairfield, Norman Bender and his wife Wendy of Sandy Hook and Adrianne (Dee Dee) Byrnes and her husband Ron of Cheshire; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her mother Helen Barrett and a son-in-law, Bruce Verrillo. A gathering to celebrate Toby's life will be held Friday, January 5, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com