Renee E. Benoit of Sun City Center, Fl., passed away Sunday April 5, 2009. Renee was born July 29, 1924 in Melrose, MN the daughter of Peter J and Rose Weyman Klapperich. During WW II she worked as a secretary in the Defense Department in Washington, DC. There she met Lt. Albert N. Benoit whom she married on September 14, 1946. The couple relocated to Lockport in 1948 and remained there until 1981 when they retired to Florida. Albert passed away in March of 2001.

She is survived by their eight children; Charlene (Dennis) Murray of Burt, NY, John (Jeannine) Benoit of Lockport, Katherine (John Brooks) Benoit of Birmingham MI, Michele (Rich) Cowley of Penn Yan, NY, Renee (Bill Bray) Bailey of Webster, NY, Patricia (Vincent) Battipaglia of Hampton, NJ, Peter (Susan) Benoit of Hartland, NY, and James (Cindy) Benoit of Somerset, NY.; 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren . She is also survived by sisters Bernice Hatch, Jeannette Thelen, brother Lloyd Klapperich and sister-in-law Sandy (late Ralph) Klapperich and many nieces and nephews.

During the years in Lockport she was a member of the Modern Mothers Club, involved in the United Way of Eastern Niagara and in the American Red Cross in Lockport and a parishioner at St. Mary's RC Church. Renee's later years were spent with her many close friends in Sun City where she was active in the Emergency Squad club as well as the weaving and sewing clubs who contributed through their craft to the needy in the surrounding area.

Friends may call Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY, where prayers will be offered Wednesday morning at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM in St. Mary's R.C. Church, 5 Saxton St., Lockport. Entombment will be in Glenwood Mausoleum. A Memorial Service will also be at a later date in Sun City Center, Fl. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Sun City Ctr. Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Sun City Center Fl. 33573.

Visitation

Friends may call Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport, NY

Services

Prayers will be offered Wednesday morning at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM in St. Mary's R.C. Church, 5 Saxton St., Lockport

Interment

Entombment will be in Glenwood Mausoleum