CARMELA DeBENEDET (RIZZO)

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Carmela DeBenedet, 88, formerly of 802 Third St. E., our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, on Friday, July 14, 2006 at Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born Jan. 19, 1918 in International Falls, Mn. to the late Guiseppe and Antonia Rizzo. Carmela, at an early age, moved with her family to Sicily, Italy but she later returned to Fort Frances at 15 years of age.
On Sept. 5, 1937, she was united in marriage in Fort Frances to Arthur “Art” DeBenedet. They raised their family in Fort Frances, where they had resided since marriage.
At home, Carmela loved preparing meals for family get-togethers over the years. She also was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances for many years.
In recent years, she moved to Rainycrest, where she had resided since.
Carmela will be missed dearly by her family and friends that she loved very much.
Carmela leaves to morn her two sons, Joseph DeBenedet and wife, Sharon, of Fort Frances, Ont., and David DeBenedet and wife, Lynda, of Tampa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Brent DeBenedet and wife, Tracy, of Appleton, Wis.; Barry DeBenedet and wife, Connie, of Burlington, Ont., Sean DeBenedet and wife, Jackie, of Fort Frances, Ont.; Brandon DeBenedet and wife, Deanne, of Land-O-Lakes, Fla., and Santana DeBenedet of Tampa, Fla.; and six great-grandchildren, Ashley, Matt, Olivia, Lilla, Sami, and Taavi.
Also surviving are one sister-in-law, Lillian Schultl of Minneapolis, Mn.; one brother, Jack Rizzo and wife, Hilda, of International Falls, Mn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur “Art” DeBenedet, on Jan. 14, 1991; her son, Gerald, on Aug. 20, 1972; one grandson, Tim DeBenedet, on March 19, 1967; and two brothers, Tony Rizzo and Frank Rizzo.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiated, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Parish prayers were offered at 6:30 p.m.
The pallbearers were her grandsons, Brent, Barry, Sean, and Santana; great-grandson, Matthew; and family friend, Gary Bruyere.
Honourary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren, Ashley, Matt, Olivia, Lilla, Sami, and Taavi.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to St. Mary’s Parish Building Fund, c/o St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 209 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B9 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.