Jeanne Anne Benefico, a resident of Naples for 35 years, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024. She was 93. Jeanne was born in Mt. Vernon, NY on March 11, 1930 to Jeanette (Policastro) and Vincent Lopardi. She was raised in Pelham, NY, attended Hutchinson Elementary School and then graduated Pelham Memorial High School in 1948.
In the summer of 1946, Jeanne met the love of her life, Leonard Benefico, on the beach in Milford, CT where Jeanne and her family had a summer home. They married on April 24, 1949, and resided in Pelham where they raised their 3 children. For her entire career she worked for the Town of Pelham as Deputy Tax Assessor. She was a very active member and held office in many local civic and school organizations. Jeanne and Lenny retired in 1989 and built a home in Naples Park to enjoy their golden years and daily happy hours!
Jeanne spent the beginning of her retirement making many new friends at Vanderbilt Beach. In fact, Jeanne was instrumental in ensuring the Vanderbilt Beach Parking Garage was free for Collier County residents. She spoke before county commissioners on January 24, 2006 asking the county to rescind the previously approved $5 daily fee for all. As a result, the commissioners amended the plan and applied the fee only to those without a resident sticker. This rule still applies today.
Jeanne was a devoted wife, loving mother and a loyal friend. She enjoyed cooking and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s events. She was extremely sociable and made many friends throughout the years in her hometown of Pelham and here in Naples. She was an avid bridge player during her Pelham years and continued playing cards on the beach in the earlier years of her retirement. She had fun playing bingo, but Mahjong became her true passion for the past 20+ years. She was a long-time parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and enjoyed dining at many Naples restaurants with her friends after attending weekly Mass. She also loved her Tuesday night Pizza and Wings.
Jeanne’s husband of 71 years, Leonard, predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter Anne (Michael) Phillippo of Pound Ridge, NY, son Joseph (Gail) of Pelham, NY, and son Vincent (Margie) of Naples. She has 4 adoring grandchildren, Michelle, Katharine, James and Julie and a great-granddaughter, Alessia, who was the light of her eyes. She is survived by her younger sister Dolores (Michael) dePierro of Parsippany, NJ. Her older sister, Rose Marotta, predeceased her.
A memorial visitation for Jeanne will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave N, Naples, Florida 34108. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jeanne’s memory to the Scholarship Fund of The Pelham Civic Association where a community service scholarship named for her father, Vincent Lopardi, is awarded annually to a high school senior at Jeanne’s alma mater.
Pelham Civic Association, PO Box 8184, Pelham NY 10803
Donate — Pelham Civic Association (pelhamcivics.org)
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens.
