Janice Lynn Proctor Bender, 61, model, receptionist

Janice Lynn Proctor Bender, 61, of Center City, a law firm receptionist who supported her husband, Frank, in his work as a forensic artist, died of cancer Wednesday, April 21, at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

Mrs. Bender and her husband met when they were working at George Faraghan Photo Studios in Center City - she was a fashion and hand model, and he was a commercial photographer. They married on Halloween 1970.

Several years later, Frank Bender began a career as a "recomposer of the decomposed." Working with law enforcement agencies, he was able to identify homicide victims by creating sculptures using the skeletal remains.

By 1986, Frank Bender was so sought after for his forensic talents that his wife, who was then working for Reliance Insurance Agency, encouraged him to quit commercial photography.

Re-creating the likenesses of slaying victims was not lucrative and she was willing to be the main breadwinner, Bender said. "She wanted me to help people," he said.

She was even supportive when he was in Mexico several years ago identifying victims of drug cartels, he said.

For 18 years, Mrs. Bender had been a receptionist for the law firm of Caesar, Revise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow in Center City. Last week, the firm closed its office for two hours so staff could pay tribute to her at a memorial luncheon, daughter Lisa Brawner said.

When her two children were younger, Mrs. Bender ran a co-op nursery school in her home in Lawndale.

A talented artist and an accomplished seamstress, Mrs. Bender made clothes for her daughters, big denim pocketbooks, and fantastic Halloween costumes, Brawner said. Recently, she made American Girl doll clothing, including period costumes, and gave the dolls to members of her cancer support group.

Mrs. Bender converted to Catholicism last year and had a strong devotion to St. John Neumann. She had a passion for poetry and writing, and kept a journal for years, her daughter said.

In addition to her daughter and husband, Mrs. Bender is survived by daughter Vanessa; a brother; and three grandchildren.

A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at Washington Crossing Veterans Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd., Newtown.