Sharon Kay Cotten-Bender, age 66, passed away on March 10, 2026, surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with lung cancer. Born in Tampa, Florida, to Helen Lavonne Lord Cotten and Bart Cotten, Kay held a lifelong passion for horses and animals. Quarter horses were her favorite, and in her younger years she trained them as jumpers. She found joy in days at the beach, savoring coffee and cold diet cokes, watching hummingbirds, showing horses, and creating warm holiday gatherings—especially at Christmas—filled with family, friends, and board games.
Kay is survived by her husband of 21 years, Braden Bender, whom she called her love, partner, and best friend; her children Lucas (Danielle) Boyce, Katie (Szymon) Muller, Jessica Bender, and Jacob Bender; her grandchildren Aidyn Bender, Charlie Castle, Landon Boyce, Kenzley Boyce, Ella Muller, Sophia Muller, Landon and Logan Peters; her step-mother Marianna Cotten; her siblings Chuck (Jill) Cotten, Craig Cotten, Scott (Pam) Jeeves, and Alex (Craig) Kosarko; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lavonne and Bart Cotten.
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