Obituary of Rita Claire Benczkowski

Rita Claire Benczkowski, 84, of the Hudson section of Plains, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at home with her husband Stanley and family at her side. Born in Wilkes-Barre, on August 12, 1932, she was the only child of the late Walter and Frances Charnetski Guzek. She grew up in Wilkes-Barre area and attended the St. Stanislaus Elementary School and graduated from the Marymount High School, class of 1949. Rita was employed as a seamstress in the local garment industry of Wilkes-Barre until she met and later married the love of her life Stanley in 1959. Together they raised 5 children during which time Rita enjoyed being a stay at home mom. Rita used her skills as a seamstress to keep her preteen children clad in the latest fashions. Rita became a den mother for the boy scouts and ran the Blessed Mother Sodality of St. Joseph’s Church. After their youngest started school Rita began a new career as an optical specialist at the former Doctor’s Brown in Wilkes-Barre. Rita retired in 1991 and she and Stanley started traveling to beautiful locations throughout the US. Their favorite trip was a grand tour of the Hawaiian Islands which almost didn’t happen because of her fear of planes and ships. The family gathered frequently at Lake Wallenpaupack where Rita loved to feed the deer, birds, squirrels and chippies. Rita spoiled the family and neighborhood pets with a variety of treats. Rita was a past member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Hudson; a current member of St. Andre Bessette Parish, Wilkes-Barre. She was a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers where she held various offices up to being the president. She was very active in St. Joseph’s Church participating in making quilts for the annual bingo, pierogi making, lecturing during mass, making toys for the annual bazaar, and volunteering to run stands during the bazaar. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Brookside Sportsman Club at Lake Wallenpaupack, and the past president of The Young at Hearts Club of St. Andre Bessette Parish. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law Carol (Runscavage) Benczkowski. Surviving are her husband of fifty-seven years, Stanley, at home; sons Stanley III, Bear Creek; Raymond and wife Susan, Kingston; daughters Rita Benczkowski, Plains; Ramona Mazur and husband Ron, Hudson; Sharon Sankus and husband Edward; Laflin; ten grandchildren whom she loved to spoil: Aimee Stella; Christopher Benczkowski; Kaitlyn Benczkowski; Amanda Benczkowski; Jessica Benczkowski; Edward Sankus; Zachary Benczkowski; Rachel Benczkowski; Abby Sankus; and Jacob Benczkowski. The family would like to offer their appreciations of the care that was provided to Rita, by Dr. Doddamani, Dr. Ellis, Dr. Harostock, Dr. Witt, and their staffs, also Michelle and Theresa from Allied Services Hospice. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at 9:30 am from the Yanaitis Funeral Home, 55 Stark Street, Plains. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am in St. Andre Bessette Parish, 668 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, with Rev. Ken Seegar, celebrant. Interment will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hudson. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Geisinger Heart Hospital. For condolences to the family and directions to services, please go to www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com.