Catherine Devlin Benke, 68, of Ossining, 'Wonderful, Warm and Spirited'

From Leach and Thomas Funeral Home:

Catherine (Cathy) Devlin Benke, 68, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend with a true zest for life, passed away on October 21, 2013.

Cathy was a wonderful, warm and spirited woman. She had a gift for giving selflessly to everyone she cared about and loved. Happiness was her reward.

Tradition and family were most important to her. She loved spending time with family and friends, and adored her beloved grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, travel, and relaxing by the Hudson and the ocean. 

A lifelong resident of Ossining, Cathy was born on August 10, 1945 to Marguerite (O’Mara) and Francis (Neil) Devlin. She married John Benke in 1966 and was a devoted Mom and homemaker. She was a parishioner of  St. Theresa’s Church in Briarcliff Manor.

Cathy will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, John, her 3 children: Kelly, John (Laura), and Cathy (Drew) Oakley, 6 grandchildren, 2 sisters: Marguerite Richards, and Winifred (Dan) Chesnard, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and lifelong, special friends.

Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm at Leach and Thomas Funeral Home, 32 State St., Ossining. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am at St. Theresa’s Church, Briarcliff Manor. Interment to follow at St. Augustine’s Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Cathy’s memory can be made to Support Connection, supportconnection.org, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for research, mskcc.org/giving.