Mary Elizabeth Bencze
Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Bencze, 99, of Carmichaels, died Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Washington Health System Hospital, Waynesburg.
Betty was born on March 28, 1924, in Nemacolin, the daughter of the late Patrick and Emma Jaworski Rafter.
She resided in Smock, in her youth and graduated from Dunbar High School. On August 24, 1951, Betty married Steve “Bill” Bencze.
Betty is survived by two children, Rebecca Ann Mikalik (Steve) of Carmichaels and Mary Ann Bencze (Jeremy Varner) of Carmichaels; son-in-law, Richard Yoders; sisters, Anna K. Gildorf, Emma Marie Florkewicz and Frances Rafter; brother, Edward Rafter; grandchildren: Patrick Yoders, Jennifer Largent (Travis), Stephen, Matthew, Sarah (Brian) Wise and Philip Mikalik; great-grandchildren: Rolin Michael Burghy, Aubrie Wise and Laina Wise.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1987; a daughter, Patricia Ann Yoders; brothers: James, Jack, PJ, Robert and Richard Rafter; and sisters, Agnes Rafter and Bernadette Padula.
Betty was a member of Saint Matthias Catholic Church. She loved cooking, baking, sewing, quilting and spending time with everyone that called her “Jer”.
Family and friends will be welcomed from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday April 26, 2023, in the Paul M. Lesako Funeral Home Inc., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels PA, 15320. 724-966-5100. Paul M. Lesako, Owner / Supervisor.
A prayer service will be held in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at Saint Hugh Church, Carmichaels.