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- September 8, 2012
Sally H. Benchik
Niagara Gazette
LOCKPORT — Sally H. Benchik (Stec), age 97, a lifelong resident of the Town of Niagara, was called home to be with our Lord on September 6, 2012, while at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport. As a child, she walked seven miles to attend a one-room school house. Her father bought her a Model T Ford at age 16, and at age 17 Sally entered a dance marathon at Olcott Beach and came in third place, only because she outlasted her partner. She became a beautician in her late teens and worked in a salon on Main Street for several years. After being united in marriage to the late Frank Benchik, she converted a bedroom at their residence into a salon and continued what she loved for 55 years. Sally loved taking Sunday drives in the country with her family and getting a bite to eat. She was a devoted wife and mother, raising two wonderful sons and her family always came first. Most of their summer vacations were centered around fishing and she would always go along with a smile, and even fry up what they caught. Sally was a devout Christian and active member of St. Vincent dePaul Parish-St. Leo's site, for over 50 years, where she served as a Eucharistic minister and Lector, was a member of the bereavement committee, the rosary and altar society, and the apostolic committee. She spent many summer months in Oregon during her golden years to help with family. Everything that Sally did was with love, whether it be cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, etc., and did it all with joy while humming her own little melody. She was one of a kind and embraced life through the good and bad. Sally had a gift of making you feel as if she had known you for a long time as her friend, with her delightful and outgoing personality. Her faith was her lifeline and a day never went by where she didn't pray - "Please let me do something good for someone today," and the Lord would answer her prayer. Sally became the primary caregiver to her son, Donald when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and moved in with her. Every Christmas Sally made hundreds of cookies just to give to family and friends, and you could almost taste the love she put into them. She enjoyed her monthly trip to the casino with a group of her dearest friends and they knew her door would be always open, where they could count on her to offer cookies or See's chocolates. Sally loved her backyard birds and considered them to be part of her family. This past March at the Town of Niagara's bicentennial celebration, Sally was one of seven being honored as one of the town's eldest residents.
Survivors include her son, Frank (Sandra) Benchik; grandchildren, Andrea, Douglas and Daniel; niece, Judith Schoonmaker; and nephews, Thomas and Terrance Stec. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank; son, Donald; grandson, Jason; two brothers, Edward and Leo Stec; and a sister, Rose Hawkins.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at St. Vincent dePaul Parish-St. Leo's site, Military Road in the Town of Niagara, on Friday, September 14 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or to Niagara Hospice. Funeral arrangements were through the DUBOIS FUNERAL HOME.
Sally was everything that God asks of His children and she accomplished that through her faith and His grace. She was an inspiration to all that knew her and truly earned a place in Heaven. When our Lord stood at the pearly gates to greet her, there is no doubt she heard Him say - "Thank you Sally.... well done my good and faithful servant."
Visit www.niagara-gazette.com/obituaries for online guest register.
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Abt 1915 - 2012 (~ 97 years)