Arlene S. Benbenek

July 16, 1938 April 5, 2024 Arlene Benbenek (nee Demski) a loving, funny and inspirational mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and all around wonderful and special woman, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, at her home in Lackawanna, New York. Arlene was born to the late Casimer and Regina Demski, (who were also wonderful people!) in Buffalo, New York. Arlene was a proud graduate of Bishop Colton High School where she remained friends with her fellow classmates until her death and was active in their annual reunions. Arlene was raised with her two sisters Maryann Bielanin (late Daniel) and Patricia Skowron (Daniel) and those three crazy sisters have remained best of friends and have pretty much visited with each other (mostly at Arlenes house) every Saturday for over thirty years. Arlene married the late Joseph S. Benbenek, Jr. ("Joe B") in 1957. Joe B won the jackpot when he married Arlene! They quickly moved to Chicago only to move back to Buffalo shortly thereafter and they lived in the Buffalo area for the rest of their lives. Arlene was a loving mother to Joleen Marsillo (Gordon), Valerie Brilhart, Joseph S. Benbenek III (Pamela), and Michelle Knaszak (Allen). All of her children have fond memories of Arlene happily singing every morning as they were getting ready for school and she always shared her laughter, happiness and positivity with all her children and everyone she came in contact with. Arlene and Joe B were married for over 50 years until his passing in 2009. Arlenes positivity and laughter got her through this difficult time and she continued on by concentrating on her children and cherished grandchildren. Arlene was blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren Bethany, Megan (Christopher) Flynn, Joshua (Lina) Marsillo, Maryellen Knaszak, Carly Knaszak (Dan Conrad), Madeline Benbenek and Eleanor Benbenek and eight great grandchildren who lovingly called her by various names Wee Wee, Grandma, BG (Buffalo Grandma), G Grandma and who were showered with her love and instilled with her happiness. Arlene loved shopping and getting great deals. She would proudly tell you of how little each one cost! She loved her coffee and pastries and no one could understand how a woman could eat so many pastries and still stay so fit! Arlene also loved meeting people and she never met a stranger. If you met Arlene, you would remember her and come away a better person for it. She was kind and generous to everyone and always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates not only for her family but for her many friends, including her lifelong friends, Pauline Ferro and Kathy Hehir. Arlene was a devout Catholic who up until COVID sat in the same place in church every Sunday for over thirty years. After COVID she settled in with a wonderful Catholic mass on TV that she religiously watched every Sunday. Her children were blessed to be raised by such a loving and devoted mother, confidant and friend and she will be dearly missed. She will live on in the hearts of all those lucky enough to have met her and shared her love, laughter and goodwill. Arlene will be dearly missed by her family (including her nieces and nephews who she loved dearly) and friends who will luckily take comfort in the many fond and often hilarious memories they have of her. She truly found a special place in the hearts of all she met and the World lost a special beacon of love and kindness with her passing. No prior visitation. Services to celebrate Arlene's life will be held on April 10, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3144 Abbot Road, Orchard Park, New York. Please assemble at Church. Arrangements by LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel). Please share condolences at www.lombardofuneralhome.com.