Kathleen Bendel

Kathleen Durkin Bendel, of Greensburg, passed away at the age of 74 on Monday, December 19, 2022, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Born December 24, 1947, in Pittsburgh, PA, Kathy was the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Loeffler) Durkin. Kathy, a devoted Catholic and member of St. Vincent Basilica, was dedicated to the service of teaching elementary students in the Greater Latrobe School District and Holy Trinity Catholic School. She received her Bachelor’s from Carlow University and her Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her parents, Kathleen is preceded in death by her brother Dennis and sisters Janet and Virginia Ingoldsby.  She is survived by her beloved husband James D. Bendel; her children, Michelle Donahue, Christopher Bendel, Christine (Scott) Bedillion, Allison Arendas, and Margaret Lehman; her grandchildren Benjamin, Clyde, Nathaniel, Kailey, Parker, Aubrieana, and Emma.  She is also survived by her siblings Mary Jo Kamper, Barbara Loftis, Diana D. Belt, Marcia Iannacone, Thomas Durkin, Sandra Durkin, and Maureen Arnold. Kathy’s most treasured moments were spent with her family whether it was summers at their cottage on Catawba Island, OH, holidays with her siblings, or on the sidelines of her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.  She enjoyed watching musicals with her husband, James, and channeling her “inner Martha Stewart” to host parties at their home in Unity Township. She was well-known for her legendary laugh.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Friday, December 23 at St. Vincent Basilica, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, followed by a celebration of her life at the Fred Rogers Center.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jim and Kathy Bendel Fund at the Westmoreland Community Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are being handled by Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, Greensburg, Pa. To sign the online guest book or send condolences, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.