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<img class="size-medium wp-image-766091" src="http://www.dailyjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2018/04/webPhoto352903.jpg" alt="Jo Ann Marie Benek" width="240" />Jo Ann Marie Benek
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GREENWOOD
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Jo Ann Marie Benek, 72, of Greenwood, died Friday, April 20, at Franciscan Hospice House with her son at her side.
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Jo Ann had an unforgettable smile that would light up any room. She loved music and dancing. She was bold and stubborn. The youngest of five sisters, she was the life of the party, a true social butterfly – in stark contrast to her husband, John, who was reserved and shy. He loved her singularly and championed her as the center of attention.
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Her son, Joseph, was her absolute pride and joy. His Greenwood High School classmates fondly recall her as a great mom. She tended to her family while working full time for many years. She was an incredible cook and was dedicated to ensuring her family wanted for nothing.
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The Benek family moved from the south Chicago suburbs to Greenwood in 1986, but Jo Ann was always proud of her sweet home Chicago. She loved to travel and explore the world. In the years after her retirement, she visited all 50 states and several countries. She was close with her group of Bunco girls, many of whom are her Greenwood neighbors.
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Jo Ann worked as a secretary most of her adult life, primarily for the Illinois Central Railroad, Johnson County Special Services and the Internal Revenue Service. She retired in 2009 to care for her husband while he was ill.
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She was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner at Our Lady of the Greenwood. She formerly chaired the Pro Life Committee and authored the Respect Life Column in the church bulletin. She was very involved with the Keenagers group, the 40 Days for Life campaign and volunteering with the Church in several other areas.
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She was born Sept. 8, 1945, to Robert and Susie (Bisceglia) Jackson in Homewood, Ill. She married John Benek on April 17, 1966, in Homewood. He preceded her in death in 2009.
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Survivors include son, Joseph (wife, Andrea) Benek, of Indianapolis; sister, Barbara "Dolly" Perniconi of Westchester, Ill.; sister, Lorraine Walsh of Clearwater, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; sister, Loretta Straley; and sister, Patricia Morris.
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A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Mike Keucher at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Greenwood, 335 S. Meridian St., Greenwood. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Jessen Funeral Home, 729 U.S. 31, Whiteland. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Greenwood’s Respect Life Billboards, 335 S. Meridian St., Greenwood IN 46143. Please note "In Memory of Jo Ann Benek" on the check. Contributions may also be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
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Online condolences may be offered at <a href="http://www.jessenfuneralhome.com">www.jessenfuneralhome.com</a>.
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