Mary A. Benca

Mary was born in Portville, N.Y., on Dec. 13, 1927, and is predeceased by her husband, Michael A. Benca, who passed away on May 13, 2010; her Slovenian parents, Johann and Angeline (Mohar) Gaberseck; as well as four brothers: John, Joseph, William, and Francis; and grandson, Dean Martinelli.

Mary attended a one-room school house in Odin, Pa., through the eighth grade. She wanted to go to high school, so she walked and caught rides on various farm trucks in Coudersport (9 miles one way) where she graduated as valedictorian at age 16.

She then attended business school in Olean, N.Y., where she met her future husband, Michael, whom at the time, was on leave from the U.S. Navy during World War II, and soon after marriage, they moved to Randolph, purchasing the former the Randolph Hotel.

Mary was a devoted wife and mother of four children: Patricia (Thomas) Kennedy, Michael (Sarah) Benca Jr., William (Margie) Benca,, and Mary Ann (Mike Antone) Martinelli; 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Caroline Easton of Coudersport, Pa.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Randolph, and for many years, avid bowler and member lifetime golfer at Cardinal Hills Golf in Randolph, where she assisted her husband Mike, with the Junior Golf Program.

Prior to retirement, she had worked for nearly 50 years in the offices of the Metallic Ladder Corporation in Randolph for Clayton and Douglas Frink.

She enjoyed friends through her relationships at the Randolph American Legion, Cardinal Hills Golf Course and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Randolph.

Due to the restrictions of Covid-19, visitation will not be observed. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Randolph on Friday, May 22, 2020. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Randolph. N.Y.

To send a condolence log onto www.vanrensselaer andsonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials if desired, may be left lovingly in Mary’s memory to the Mike Benca Junior Golf Fund, 14 Church St., Randolph, NY 14772.