Joan Bender, 63, of Raleigh passed away Friday April 27 at Hospice of Wake County after a long battle with cancer. Joan was originally from New York and had worked at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Preschool as a teacher before retiring. She is survived by her husband Richard, son Paul, daughter Jennifer, her brother John Cudabac and sister Irene Roman. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at The Cancer Centers of NC for their care for her over the last 15 years along with the staff at Rex Hospital and The Hospice of Wake County. The family will receive friends at Renaissance Funeral Home 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh on Wednesday May 2nd from 2 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM with a Prayer Service at 8PM.