Obituary of Mary F. Benjamin

Mary F. (Johnson) Benjamin passed away on January 1, 2025 at the age of 84 near Rochester, NY.  A devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mary was passionate about her family and her faith.

Mary grew up in Barton, NY, raised her family in Waverly, and retired to Cayuta Lake near Odessa.  Mary and her adoring husband Clint later moved to Fairport and Webster to be close to their family.

Mary is survived by her husband Clinton R. Benjamin, whom she married in 1960.  She is also survived by sons Scott (Marianne) Benjamin of Ontario NY, Todd (Eileen) Benjamin of Fairport NY, grandchildren Annie (Trevor) Dear, Kyle Benjamin, Emily (Eric) Durrwachter, and great grandchildren Rory Dear, Finnegan Dear, and Benjamin Durrwachter.  She is also survived brothers-in-law Edward (Charlotte) Benjamin and Dennis Dyer and many nieces and nephews.

Mary is predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Anna Mae Johnson, sister, Phyllis (Vernon) Coyle, and brother Robert (Hazel) Johnson.

Mary and Clint were high school sweethearts who graduated from Tioga Central High School in 1958.  She worked at Ransom Insurance in Waverly before having children.  Later she went to work at the Lincoln Street Elementary School as a lunch aide and the school cafeteria baker. She became the school librarian at Lincoln Street until her retirement in 1997. 

Mary was active in the Waverly United Methodist Church and the Odessa-Catharine United Methodist Church.  She was a member of United Methodist Women and served many roles on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Council, choirs, prayer chain coordinator, and a volunteer for the holiday bazaar and Many Hands Thrift Shop.  Mary volunteered for everything her children were involved in, including Scouting, Little League, and other auxiliary groups.  At nearly all of her volunteer activities she worked alongside her beloved husband Clint.  Mary enjoyed going to high school sporting events and was an avid NY Yankees fan.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm at the Odessa-Catharine United Methodist Church, 305 Church Street, Odessa, NY. Her funeral will begin at 12:00 pm followed by a luncheon at the church.  Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Odessa-Catharine United Methodist Church, PO Box 203, Odessa NY 14869 or Charles Settlement House, 71 Parkway, Rochester NY 14608.  The family also wishes to thank the staff at the Cherry Ridge assisted living community for tremendous care and support over the past two years.