Gay Bender Kahle

Gay Joanne Bender Kahle, 84, peacefully passed at home on November 5, 2022, in Annapolis, MD. She was born in San Francisco to Jerome Robert Bender and Elizabeth Beryl Tecler. Gay’s family moved regularly as her father opened stores throughout the country for a major department store.

Gay and her younger sister Nan spent their grade school years in Indianapolis, attending Shortridge High School, and becoming lifelong fans of the Indianapolis 500. The family also included a black standard poodle named Beau. Life gave their family a terrible turn when their mother Elizabeth passed away when the sisters were just 15 and 13 years of age. This experience had a profound impact on Gay and influenced her the rest of her life.

Gay graduated from Ohio State University in 1960, with a degree in Anthropology. She fondly remembered her days at OSU where she drove a white convertible. Upon graduation Gay moved to Chicago where she met her husband Warren in 1960 while working downtown at Encyclopedia Britannica. Married in 1961 at the Drake Hotel, the two soon after matriculated at Michigan State University, where Gay earned two graduate degrees in Education and Social Sciences. Upon graduation from Michigan State, the couple, now with an infant son, headed west to Fremont, CA.

Gay and Warren welcomed their second son in California, though after only three years on the West Coast, they moved their young family to Bowie, MD, where Warren took a position with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. After raising their two boys through grade school, Gay began a 25-year, special-education, teaching career, with 23 of those years working with teenagers, primarily at the Phoenix Center in Annapolis.

Upon their respective retirements Gay and Warren enjoyed travelling the world, making two significant trips each year, and eventually visiting 64 countries. They also moved to Annapolis in 2000 after purchasing a condominium unit at President Point with a stunning view down Spa Creek towards the Eastport Bridge. From this lovely location, they hosted parties for the great Annapolis traditions of Blue Angels, Fourth of July fireworks, and Parade of Lights. As a resident of The Point one of Gay’s favorite things to do, was to organize a group to walk downtown to the Market House every morning, enjoy conversations, a beverage from Rise Up, and the return walk.

Gay enjoyed playing card games, especially bridge. She and her husband played in two bridge groups, regularly playing twice a week. The competitive nature of the games often led to heated dinner-time discussions regarding Warren’s bidding. Gay also enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, she religiously read the newspaper every day, and participated in the International Club of Annapolis. She was strong, vibrant, generous, full of energy, a force. Gay drew many into her cherished circle of friends, who she loved to entertain.

Without question the greatest joy of her life is her grandchildren. She enjoyed being involved in their lives as much as possible, attending every swim meet, soccer game, and lacrosse game. She regularly picked up her grandchildren from school, camp, and practice. She actively participated in their academic lives. One of her favorite events was catching birds as part of a fourth-grade learning experience at the Key School, and Grandparents Day was boldly identified on her calendar.

Gay is survived by her husband of 61 years Warren Kahle, her sister Nan Bender (Roger Hockman) of Chicago, sons Steven Kahle (Erin Fanning) of Annapolis and David Kahle (Suzanne Kahle) of Chicago, and her greatest joy – her grandchildren – Madelyn Kahle, Benjamin Kahle, Quinn Kahle, and Asa Kahle.

A private day of remembrance will be held for immediate family on Monday, November 7, 2022. The family will host a celebration of life and will announce the date and time once plans have been made.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Annapolis Book Festival at The Key School, Annapolis, MD. A gift can be made at: keyschool.org/gift as either a Memorial Gift or to the Annapolis Book Festival.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com for the Kahle family.