Wellsville, NY – Mary E. Benz, 93, of 2608 County Road 18 passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at home with family at her side. She was born March 28, 1930, in Wellsville, the daughter of the late Arthur W. and Lillian (McHale) Walsh. On May 4, 1968, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville she married Clarence H. “Clancy” Benz who predeceased her on December 18, 2010.
Mary was raised in Wellsville, and graduated from the Immaculate Conception School, Wellsville High School in 1947, and Geneseo State Teachers College in 1951. She began her teaching career in Endicott, and moved on to Corning, Wellsville, and retired from Scio Central School. She was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish, a member of the Immaculate Conception Altar and Rosary Society, Co-founder, and long-time committee member of the Immaculate Conception Community Fun Fair. She was also a member of the Red Hat Club, Monday Club, and Garden Club. She delivered Meals on Wheels and enjoyed playing Bridge.
She is survived by four sons, William (Annie) Benz of Wellsville, Joseph (Roxanne) Benz of Durham, NC, Robert (Kimberly) Benz of Corning and Martin (Cristin) Benz of Springville, nine grandchildren, Haley, Gianna, Lilian, Terrence, Nathan, Emma, Alexander, and William Benz and Thomas Rogers, two sisters-in-law, Margaret Benz of Lancaster, and Shirley Benz of Hamburg, a brother-in-law, Richard Graffeo of West Seneca, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. In addition to her parents and husband she was predeceased by two brothers, James (Patricia) Walsh and Robert (Jane) Walsh and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Friends are invited to call on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, January 27, from 10:00 to 10:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The Rosary will be recited Friday at 3:45 pm in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 27, at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. The burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Sacred Heart Cemetery ℅ Immaculate Conception Church, 17 Maple Ave., Wellsville, NY 14895, or Preborn! (www.preborn.com).
To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
