Mary Benner

Mary Benner passed away on November 21, 2019. She was lovingly known to all as Marie, Mrs. B, and also Gramma Bunny. She had family by her side when she left this earth and entered the heavenly kingdom to be with our Lord.

Marie was born on February 6, 1925 to John and Mary Mawritz of Glassport, PA. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Charles L. Benner, her brothers John Mawritz and Joseph Mawritz, and her sisters Bertha Mawritz Grice and Marlene Mawritz Beatty.

She is survived by her 3 children Roberta Kennedy and husband Joseph of Ave Maria, Florida, Terry Collins and wife Susan of Farmington, PA, and Marylou Rohlf and husband John of Farmington, PA; her grandchildren and great grandchildren Bryan Kennedy and wife Nina and children Marco and Giuliana from South Carolina, Marcie McDade and husband Jeff from Mississippi, Michael Collins from PA, Anna Todak and husband Joshua and son Waylon from Georgia, and Joshua Rohlf and wife Jaimee and son Noah from PA.

Marie grew up in Glassport, PA and graduated from Douglas Business School in Pittsburgh. She worked at various places including a Manufacturing plant where she helped to build air plane parts during World War II, a Pretzel Factory, secretary at Copperweld Steel, secretary at Montefiore Hospital, and Nemacolin Woodland’s night auditor. Together with her husband Charles Benner, they moved to Farmington, PA in 1965 and built Benner Meadow Run Camping & Cabins. She worked at this business until she was 75 years young.

After her husband passed away in 1985, Marie traveled the world and visited, just to name a few destinations, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean Island, Belize, the Panama Canal, and Australia where she snorkeled the Barrier Reef! She also volunteered as a visitor’s guide at Fallingwater where she shared her expertise of tourism and her friendly smile with visitors from around the world.

Marie was a board member of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, a member of the PA Campground Owner’s Association, a member of The National Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds and a member of the 400 Club at Nemacolin Woodlands. She enjoyed dancing any chance she got, the Red Hat Ladies, bowled in the Hopwood Bowling League, enjoyed golfing, and loved walking in the mountains and especially on the beach.

Most of all, Marie was a Godly, Christian woman, friend, mom, aunt, and gramma. She grew up in the Catholic Church and later became a member of the Chalk Hill United Methodist church where her son was the Pastor. She will be remembered most for her laugh and continual positive attitude, always finding something good in everything and everyone.

Special acknowledgment also goes to Renee “Lovey” and to all who provided loving care for Marie in her last five years of life and to Charley and all those from Amedisys Hospice.

Friends will be received in THE DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME, FARMINGTON, PA on Sunday November 24, 2019 from 2pm To 8pm and Monday November 25, 2019 where a viewing will be held from 10:30 to 11:30am when the service will be held at 11:30am with Pastor Terry Collins officiating.

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