Barbara Joan (Bender) Channing, 84, passed away peacefully from natural causes in Grass Valley on Wednesday, July 17, 2013.

She was born in Escalon, CA on Jan. 14, 1929 to Arno and Dorothy (Mansfield) Bender. Her parents owned Benders’ Bakery in Escalon which was a fond memory of hers. After graduating from Escalon High School, she earned her AA degree from Modesto Junior College and went on to do secretarial work at the college.

She met and married Harry M. Channing in 1956. They began family life in San Francisco and later moved to Pennsylvania in 1966. In 1978 they moved to South Lake Tahoe, CA where she worked for the school district for over 22 years.

An adventurous and caring mother, grandmother and friend, she loved working with children in scouts, Sunday school and as a teacher’s aide. She was an avid gardener and was proud of her many crocheted blankets donated to the needy.

Survivors include her children, Cheryl Henderson (Kent), Colleen Trotter (Steve), Corinne McCuskey (Steve), David Channing, Susan Isom (Sean); her sister Patricia Thompson and husband Jim, of Sacramento; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Road, Escalon with a reception at the Escalon Historical Museum immediately following.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

July 31, 2013