Genevieve Benson

Genevieve Hein Steele Benson, age 89, died on April 5, 2024.  Born on April 11, 1934, “Jenny” was the daughter of the late Herman T. and Hulda Stitt Hein.  She married Wallace “Tiny” Steele on April 20, 1954.  After Tiny’s death, Jenny married Robert R. Benson on September 12, 1998.  Bob preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by her brother, Harry Hein.  She is survived by a daughter, Louise Steele, of Alliance, Ohio, and many extended family members and friends.  Jenny was a graduate of Butler High School, where she eagerly learned Gregg shorthand and held first chair in the violin section of the school’s orchestra.  As newlyweds, she and Tiny settled in Brockway, PA, and she began working as a secretary at Brockway Glass Company.  When Louise was born, Jenny became a stay-at-home mom, and then later resumed working at the glass company until her retirement.  Throughout her time in Brockway, she was a member of the Brockway Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder, Clerk of Session, financial secretary, women’s Circle leader, chair of the Women’s Association, choir member, and chair of the outreach and stewardship committees.  She especially enjoyed teaching children’s Sunday school classes and directing Vacation Bible School.  In 1998, she received honorary life membership in Presbyterian Women in recognition of her faithful service to the women’s groups and to the church.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron of the Brockway chapter in 1962-63.  In addition, she liked being a Story Hour reader at Mengle Memorial Library, both when Louise was young and again during her retirement.  She was secretary of the library’s board of directors and of Brockway’s Council for Human Dignity.  Over the years, Jenny and Tiny had fun dancing to big band music and traveling.  She loved baking and delivering warm pecan pies to friends.  She always looked forward to monthly gatherings of the “Classy Couples” and to lunches with former coworkers.  She enjoyed visiting with neighbors on the back porch and listening to Bob’s barbershop quartets.  After Bob’s death, Jenny moved to Ohio to live near Louise, and they were blessed to spend time together every day.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 11, at 11:00 am at the Brockway Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Emily Koehler officiating.  Friends will be received at the church one hour before the service.  Burial will follow in Beechwoods Cemetery.  Shugarts Funeral Home, Inc. in Brockway is handling the arrangements.  Memorials may be given to the Brockway Presbyterian Church, Mengle Memorial Library, or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

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