Obituary of Jane T. Benziger

Jane T. Benziger of Lockport, NY died Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Lockport Rehab and Health Care Facility.  She was born in Harrisburg, PA, daughter of Clarence and Sara Thumma.  She was a graduate of John Harris High School, Harrisburg, PA and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.

Jane first came to Lockport in 1943 to be the Children’s Choir Director and Organist at First Presbyterian Church.  She met, fell in love with and married George H. Benziger, Jr. (deceased), her husband of 46 years.

Jane was then Choir Director and Organist for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, worked for a short time at Williams Brothers Department Store and then was Organist and Choir Director at the First English Lutheran Church.  She became an elementary music teacher for Newfane School System after finishing work for her New York State teaching credentials at SUNY Buffalo.

Jane was an active member of the American Guild of Organists and was a member of the Lockport Concert Association for many years.  In addition, she was an active and proud member of her teachers union.

She is survived by Lise Benziger (Lockport, NY), Karl Benziger and his wife Klara Benziger Gendur of East Providence, RI, her much loved grandchildren Emese and George Benziger and her sisters Phyllis Gingrich, of Annville, PA and Nancy Bowles of Kents Store, VA. She was predeceased by her brothers William Thumma and James Thumma.  Jane is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 4:00 until 6:00PM.  Her funeral service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00AM with her burial to follow at Cold Springs Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are requested for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Planned Parenthood of Western NY or the Sister Mary Loretto Soup Kitchen, Lockport.