Mary Dolores Benech OBITUARY

Mary Dolores Benech OBITUARY

Mary Dolores Benech, 98, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025. A life-long resident of Monterey, she was born on June 21, 1927, to her parents Salvator and Angelina Melicia.

Mary graduated from Monterey High School in 1945. All through high school she worked at the State Theatre, and during World War II, when all the men were off fighting, she filled in as a packer at the San Carlos Cannery.

After graduating Monterey High, she went to work for Montgomery Wards as the Catalog Manager and continued working there on and off for over twenty years.

Mary married the love of her life, Henry Benech Jr., on September 4, 1949 at San Carlos Cathedral.

Mary was deeply committed to her family and her community. She devoted over 12,500 hours across 37 years volunteering with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, as well as dedicating significant time and energy to the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 36, Festa Italia, Alliance on Aging, and the Monterey County Fair Ag County Store.

In 2013, Mary was recognized by the Italian Heritage Society of the Monterey Peninsula for her contributions to the local Italian American community.

Mary is survived by her son, David Benech, her daughters, Kathleen Benech and Janice Brown, her son-in-law, Bill Brown, her granddaughter Cara Rose Benech, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She follows in death her husband, Henry Benech Jr., her brother, Theodore Melicia, her sisters, Louise McCoy, Angelina Anastasi, and Rose Pfiefer, and her son, Bill Benech.

Funeral Mass will be held at San Carlos Cathedral on Tuesday, January, 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception following at the Parish Hall. Anyone who wishes to honor her is asked to make a donation to the San Carlos Conservation Fund or to the SPCA of Monterey County.