Obituary of Mary Catherine Bender

Cate was born in Toronto on August 11, 1947 to Ian and Berenice McLaren, and died on April 13, 2026 at WRHN after a brief illness.

Loving wife for over 53 years to Paul.

She loved her cottage in Honey Harbour passionately, spending almost every Summer there, and in her adult years looked forward to brightening it up annually by adding flowers and tending to some garden areas. She also loved to travel, having visited Great Britain, Europe, the USA, Egypt and Israel.

She was a fan of what she called “good” music, particularly the singing quartet Il Divo. Cate and Paul had the opportunity to attend forty-two (42) of their concerts, and these shows were always highly anticipated! In fact the group came to know her and began to look for her when they were in the GTA and surrounding areas.

In her working career she was a secretary for Contract Sales at Eaton’s College Street in Toronto.

Cate had one daughter, Elizabeth, and she and Paul worked together to raise her.

She was blessed with three grandchildren, Drewe, Lexi and Evan, and was to become a first-time great-grandmother.
She is survived by her older sister Jane, and her husband Gino, of Toronto.

Throughout her life, she also developed many friendships and cherished those relationships. She will be remembered for her sense of humour, caring and fun-loving spirit.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service. A reception will follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Township of Georgian Bay Public Library Board (Honey Harbour Library), 2586 Honey Harbour Road, Box 220, Honey Harbour, Ontario, P0E 1E0, or arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.