Barb Bender (Bebe Yock, Backman, Clapper) born on August 28, 1937, to Charles and Blanche (Palanes) Yock went to be with our Lord on September 24, 2024, at Maple Heights assisted living facility, Ebensburg surrounded by her loving family. Barb was preceded in death by her parents; infant twins, Kurt and Kyle Backman; grandson Jeremy Backman; grandson, Shane Clapper; stepson Michael Bender, former husbands Bruce Backman and Woodrow Clapper Jr., brother Charles Joseph Yock, sister-in-law Bonnie Yock, nephew Joey Yock, niece Tracy Yock and nephew James Yock. She is survived by beloved husband, Richard Bender, and these “gifts from God”: Karl (Shannon) Backman, WY; Alan Oz Backman, AZ; Kristal Backman (John) King TX; Kimberly Clapper (Joe) Kuisick, PA; Karin Clapper Croft, PA; Woodrow (Marleena) Clapper lll, PA; James (Mary) Clapper, AK. She also shared her husband’s “gifts”: Susie Bender (Luke) Kelley, PA; Amber Bender Ahmed, KY; Becky Bender (Mike) Kneller, VA; John (Marissa) Bender, NM; Steve (Lynn) Bender, WA; Paul (Kiet) Bender, CA; Mary Bender (Rob) Cecchetti, PA and Sandy Bender (CJ) Turgeon, MA. Barb was a loving “Bubba” to 33 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers Jerry (Judy) Yock and David (Marion) Yock and numerous nephews. After high school Barb went to DC to work for the Voice of America and while in DC also modeled for the Phyllis Bell Modeling Agency as a Runway and Tearoom Model and then on a weekly TV fashion show for the Olbum Agency in upstate NY. After moving back to PA family took up most of Barb’s time but she managed to devote time to church work thru many Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel Altar/Rosary projects for 36 years, Basilica Prayer Shawl Group, Prince Gallitzin Bible Study Group, and Cursillo #69. She was awarded the “Prince Gallitzin Cross” award for her work with Pre Cana for the Divorced, Separated and Widowed of the Diocese. Barb was a devout professed Secular Franciscan for 41 years and loved her Franciscan vocation and her Franciscan family. She was active in Amateur (Ham) radio (KA3VXR) where she acted as Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinator for Cambria County for 10 years; belonging to 3 local clubs and a National Club, as well as Australian, British, Canadian and Japanese National Clubs. She loved camping with the family and painting rocks and other crafts with the Grand and Great-grandkids and having summer picnics under the backyard pavilion and around the fire ring. She found great joy in hosting huge family Holiday dinners and passing along Lithuanian and Ukrainian foods and customs such as Pysanky Easter Eggs. She was a member of the Johnstown Folk Dancers who performed many Eastern European and Middle Eastern authentic folk dances locally. Deep down she was a Ukrainian Gypsy grounded by her Lithuanian DNA. Friends will be received from 4 until 8 PM Monday at the Gibbons Funeral Home, 1688 Liberty St., Ashville, PA 16613, where a Vigil Service will be held Monday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM Tuesday at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto. Burial will be in St. Michaels Cemetery, Loretto. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dorothy Day Outreach Center, Loretto or St. Vincent DePaul. Don’t weep for Bubba. Celebrate her life! She loved travel and adventure. She visited many states and European countries, rode a donkey in MS, rode a Long-Horned Steer in TX, a camel in Israel and sky dived in NV. Her motto was “Have Babushka, Will Travel” and now she is in on the greatest adventure of her life. www.gibbonsfhashvillecoalport.com