Rose Agnes Benz

BENZ Rose Agnes Benz, age 89, of Trumbull, died on Monday, February 23, 2004, at St. Joseph s Manor after a brief illness. Born in New York City, on March 22, 1914, she was the daughter of Laurence and Rose (Davis) Benz. She resided in Bridgeport for most of her life. After graduating from St. Mary s Academy in Stamford, Miss Benz worked for the New Haven Railroad/Conrail for 37 years. She retired in 1980. She volunteered at the st. Patrick s Rectory for more than 20 years. For six years she was at St. Patrick s every Saturday and Sunday. After her retirement, she volunteered five days a week. She was a lector, a Eucharistic minister, and an active member of St. Patrick s Senior Citizen Club. She sang in the St. Patrick s Choir until she could no longer climb the stairs to the choir loft. She joined St. Augustine Cathedral Parish and was an active member of the choir until her health failed. Miss Benz was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, a Secular Franciscan. Margaret Gould, a member of St. Patrick s Parish, and a friend of many years, cared for Rose Benz during her declining years. Family members include her nephew, Laurence P. Benz Jr. of Suncook, N.H.; six nieces: Coralee Benz Kleiner of Manchester, N.H., Barbara Benz Richards of Williamstown, Mass., Marilyn Benz of Suncook, N.H., Elizabeth Benz of Franklin, N.H., Susan Benz of Austin, Texas, and Laurie Benz Fackler of Keller, Texas. She was predeceased by her brothers, Laurence P. Benz of Tilton, N.H., and Charles William Benz of Seminole, Fla. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2004, at 11 a.m. in St. Augustine s Cathedral, Bridgeport, with Msgr. Schultz officiating Burial will follow in St. Michael s Cemetery. friends may greet the family Thursday at 10 a.m. until the time of service in the Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2160 Main Street, Bridgeport.