Sharon F Benjamin

Sharon F. Benjamin entered the Lord's Kingdom on July 1st 2024 in Warwick, NY, surrounded by family. She was born November 4, 1954 in Middletown, NY to the late Paul E. Skidmore and Lavina (Gregory) Skidmore. She was 69 years old and a lifelong resident of Orange County, NY.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband of almost 51 years Burr H. Benjamin of Howells/Warwick; daughters Jennifer L. Harker (Keith) of Warwick, NY, and Kari A. Venetis (Bryan) of Montgomery, NY; beloved grandchildren Brayden Conklin and Julia Venetis; brother Steve E. Skidmore (Diane) of Conroe, TX; "Sister" Toni Ann Whitehead of Middletown, NY; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
Sharon lived her life in service to God and others. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend. In 1972, she graduated from Minisink Valley High School and later obtained her Registered Nursing Degree from Middletown Psychiatric Center School of Nursing. She started her nursing career at the Middletown Psychiatric Center and then pursued her love and passion of obstetric nursing at Horton Hospital in Middletown, NY.
She retired from Orange Regional Medical Center after 32 years of devoted service.
Sharon loved to precept and train new nurses. Following her retirement, Sharon continued her service to the Lord by serving as a Deacon for nine years at St. John's Lutheran Church in Middletown, NY. After studying for many years, she graduated from the ELCA Synod Diakonia Program in 2017. In addition to her time spent serving as a Deacon, Sharon was also a member of the St. John's Altar Guild, a volunteer cleaner, lector, and usher at the church, and a member of the Bible Study.
She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and visited many locations such as the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, and Alaska with her husband Burr. She loved her annual trips with her closest friends, Toni Ann, Carol, and Carolyn; they spent countless hours laughing in Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Cancun. She was happiest spending time in L.B.I.,NJ - especially at the bay with her grandchildren.
A Visitation will be held at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home at 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY on Tuesday, July 9
from 4 pm to 7 pm.
A Christian funeral service will be held on Wednesday, 7/10 at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church at 391 Mt. Hope Road, Middletown, NY 10940.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County at 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550 or St.John's Lutheran Church at 391 Mt. Hope Road Middletown, NY 10940. The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the staff at Hospice, especially Michelle, Karna, Amber, Sara, Courtney & Ellen.
Special thanks to Sharon's Physician, Dr.Thomas Yuen, and RN Rhianna at Middletown Medical who took extraordinary care
of her.