Rita Benedict, 58

Rita M. Benedict, 58 years, of Bryan, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Bryan Care and Rehabilitation Center, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Rita was born February 5, 1955 in Waterbury, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Ray and Louise (Culhane) Willefsky. Rita attended St. Margaret Grammar School in Waterbury. She was a 1973 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado in 1977. It was at the University of Colorado where she met her husband, Gregory B. Benedict, and they were married November 25, 1978 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan. He preceded her in death on October 23, 2001. Rita was a Social Worker for the State of New Mexico. She also was a model for Jacobson’s in Toledo. Rita was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Bryan where she sang in the church choir. She was also a member of the Bryan Civic League as well as the Great Banquet Community. In her younger years, Rita enjoyed swimming, skiing and hiking. Recently she found enjoyment in her family and friends, listening to music, shopping and occasionally sewing.

Surviving are her three daughters, Elizabeth, Zoë and Erin all of Bryan; her sister, Mary Lou (Steve Parker) Willefsky of Columbus, Ohio; one brother, John Willefsky of Waterbury, Connecticut; her father-in-law, Bruce Benedict of Bryan; sisters and brothers-in-law, Andrea (Keith) Pearcy of Frederick, Maryland, Lori (Dennis) Heathfield of Columbus, Indiana and Scott (Pam) Benedict of Bryan as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Katherine Fassett and her mother-in-law, Joan Benedict.

Funeral services for Rita M. Benedict will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan with Pastor Barry Sweet officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery, Bryan. Visitation for Rita will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any memorial contributions in the name of Rita M. Benedict be made to the Gregory B. Benedict Outstanding Educator Award C/O: Bryan Area Foundation, P.O. Box 651, Bryan, Ohio 43506, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, New York, 10163.