Obituary of Arlene M. Benigni
Arlene M. Benigni, (nee Yanisch), age 91, of Joliet, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Ascension Living Villa Franciscan Place, Joliet.
Born March 20, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN, she was the daughter of the late Henry Martin and Agnes Marie (Bachner) Yanisch. She married her beloved husband, George Henry Benigni, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage until his passing on January 13, 2012. One brother, James Yanisch, also preceded her in death.
Arlene was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She was a true inspiration to everyone that knew her. She was active in her church, the Cathedral of St. Raymond, and enjoyed her memberships in the Women of Rotary, the Society of Former Special Agents, I Care International, and the Joliet Bike Club.
Arlene lived the full life and never met a challenge she couldn’t conquer. She biked up Monarch Pass (11,300 ft) in her late 60s, climbed a 14er in her 70s, and downhill skied in her 80s.
She never turned down a card game. Arlene treasured all the time spent at the bridge table of her many bridge clubs. Her cribbage board was always at the ready. Arlene loved the opera and live theatre. She was an avid reader and a fanatic Cub Fan.
No matter what life threw at her, she faced it with determination and a smile. Heaven got a good one!
Arlene is survived by her five sons, Mark (Dana) Benigni of Ogden, UT, Vincent Benigni of Joliet, David (Annesa) Benigni of Shelby Township, MI, Paul (Erica) Benigni and Thomas (Kimette) Benigni, both of Fort Collins, CO; two daughters, Nancy Hacker of Cottage Grove, WI, and Jean (Ken) Webb of Overland Park, KS; seven grandchildren, Michael (Morgan) Benigni, Brett Benigni, Ashley (John) Wilson, Lauren (Ryan) Miller, Brooke Benigni, Alexandra Benigni and Claire Hacker; three great-grandchildren, Maddox, Maxwell and Maddyn; one brother, Paul Yanisch; and one sister, Marita Yanisch. Her brother-in-law, Gerald (Kathy) Benigni and their wonderful children also survive.
Visitation for Arlene Benigni will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Avenue, Joliet. Face masks will be required for all in attendance. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Cornerstone Services, Inc., 777 Joyce Road, Joliet, IL 60436 (www.cornerstoneservices.org), Lightways Hospice (the former Joliet Area Community Hospice), 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 (www.lightways.org) or I Care International, Inc., 880 Bedford Road, Morris, IL 60450 (www.icareinternational.org) would be appreciated.
Fred C. Dames Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
