Cynthia Benevenga

Cynthia R. Benevenga, age 83, passed away on Monday April 22, 2013 surrounded by her family at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. She died from complications of pneumonia and septic shock.

Cynthia was born in Long Beach, California, in September of 1929, to Francis and Ada. She was the middle of three children between her brother Francis "Frank" the eldest (deceased) and her sister Katherine "Kathie". The sisters remained close for the past 81 years and were never out of contact.

Cynthia married John B.(Jack) Sheehan in November 1949. Jack died in July 1953 leaving her with an eleven month old baby, Maureen. In August of 1956 Cynthia married Norlin (Ben) Benevenga and moved to Davis, California, where she worked for the Provost of the University of California at Davis until 1960 when she became the secretary to the Chancellor of the UC Davis campus. They moved in 1965 to Boston Massachusetts, then nine busy months later moved to Madison. She worked in central administration of the University of Wisconsin system for about 15 years during which she achieved her dream of a college degree, a BA in Economics, in 1980.

Cynthia was always very active in the community. She joined the League of Women Voters in Davis, California in 1961 because "she thought membership would be good for social reasons when her husband was in academia." After moving to Madison, she joined the Daughters of Demeter, The University League, and The League of Women Voters Dane County, serving as President for Daughters of Demeter and LWV over the years. Cynthia actively volunteered her time, energy and expertise to the State of Wisconsin LWV until her death. She believed in the mission of the LWV, to promote active and informed participation of citizens. Cynthia was indeed an informed citizen. She said her fondest memories "were created every time I hear a greeting or see a warm smile of recognition from another member".

She was a lover of books all her life and shared that joy with her daughters and grandchildren. She was a very caring, giving person who in concert with her husband opened their house to UW Madison students and others during holidays for those who had no family in the area, creating a sense of "Home" for those individuals. She had a knack with people and as one friend said "she was the glue that held many diverse friends together, keeping in contact and including many people in her vast circle of friends."

She is survived by her husband Norlin (Ben); children Maureen Sheehan (Ed) Davis of San Jose, Ca.; Anthony (Sue) Benevenga of the Milwaukee area; Tracy (Tom) Guerra of Campbell, Ca; grandchildren Emma Benevenga and Giovanni and Paolo Guerra; sister Kathie (Robert) Elliott of Davis, Ca.; and many nieces, nephews and dear family friends.

A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, June 1, 2013 at 2:30 PM.

Memorials maybe made to AAUW (American Association of University Women) or the Association of Women in Agriculture (UW Madison).