Catherine A. Benjamin

Catherine A. Benjamin, 71. of Salamanca, NY joined Jesus and her daughter Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY following a long illness.

Born March 24, 1951, in Salamanca, NY. she was the daughter of the late Richard and Florence Bickell McLarney. She was married on January 26. 1974 to Michael Benjamin, who survives.

She was a graduate of Ellicottville Central School. Class of 1969.

She loved researching genealogy, gardening, being at Chautauqua Lake and finding that perfect gift for her loved ones on Christmas. She also enjoyed refinishing furniture, chair caning, and doing puzzles of all kinds including solving the Rubik’s Cube by writing her own solution guide.

She lived a life full of laughter, tears, funny stories and was always fiercely protective of loved ones. She was a volunteer at Valley View Baptist Church; organizing and preparing meals for those in need.

She had been employed as a receptionist with Dr. Peter Perez DDS, Salamanca, NY for over ten years and had previously been employed with Prudential Life Insurance. Salamanca, NY. She had also been employed as a real estate agent with the former Alpine Sales and Rental Company, Ellicottville, NY.

Surviving besides her beloved husband of nearly 50 years Michael Benjamin are: son, Christopher (Kelli Lord-Taylor) Gillfillan, Salamanca, NY; a granddaughter, Jennie Rae Stevens Salamanca, NY; a sister Julia McLarney Olean; NY; three brothers, Kevin (Debbie) McLarney Carrollton, NY, Michael ( Crystal) McLarney, GA, Robert (Kim ) McLarney Salamanca, NY, several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by daughter Kari Gillfillan-Stevens and brother Owen "Steven" McLarney.

There will be no visitation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Valley View Baptist Church, 5416 Route 353, Little Valley, NY on October 22, 2022 at 11am.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

The family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org) or The American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org).

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh