ELIZABETH MARTINELLI BENVENUTO of Greenwich passed peacefully on February 5th at Stamford Hospital surrounded by her loving family. " Betty", was born in Stamford on October 25, 1931 to Frank & Lucille Martinelli. She met her soul-mate, Emil "Bennie" Benvenuto, her husband of 57 years, when she was just 13 and the two would wed right out of high school. They spent their whole lives within a few miles of where they grew up settling in Greenwich. More than just an incredible mother she was active in business, politics and volunteering throughout her life. She also enjoyed knitting and quilting in her leisure time. She was a business partner of both Lou Singer & Jack Daniel's Steakhouses in Greenwich. Benvenuto Racing Stable was also a source of great pride and joy as she and Bennie would travel up and down the east coast to watch their horses' race. Betty was active as a local volunteer for the Republican Party, was an inspiration and guiding compass in her husband's political career in local and state government and was a founding benefactor of the Connecticut Center for Child Development in Milford, CT. Betty is survived by her daughters Suzanne Letso and her husband Roger of Newtown, her son John Benvenuto of Greenwich, her daughter Linda McDonald and her husband James of Fairfield, her grandchildren Tyler and Meredith Letso and her granddaughter Jaime McDonald. She is survived by her sisters Florence Kapusta of Stamford, Lucille Cardillo of Milford and her brother Frank Martinelli of Fairfield. She is predeceased by her sisters Anna Rita & Mildred Bianco. A viewing will be held from 2 to 6pm on Sunday, February 8th, 2009, at Castiglione Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich, CT. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, February 9th, 2009, at St. Catherine of Siena, 4 Riverside Avenue, Greenwich. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, 399 North Street, Greenwich. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Ct Center for Child Development, 925 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT 06460, (203) 882-8810, extension 311. Thanks for making the world a better place, Betty. Amen
Joel Freedman
ELIZABETH MARTINELLI BENVENUTO of Greenwich passed peacefully on February 5th at Stamford Hospital surrounded by her loving family. " Betty", was born in Stamford on October 25, 1931 to Frank & Lucille Martinelli. She met her soul-mate, Emil "Bennie" Benvenuto, her husband of 57 years, when she was just 13 and the two would wed right out of high school. They spent their whole lives within a few miles of where they grew up settling in Greenwich. More than just an incredible mother she was active in business, politics and volunteering throughout her life. She also enjoyed knitting and quilting in her leisure time. She was a business partner of both Lou Singer & Jack Daniel's Steakhouses in Greenwich. Benvenuto Racing Stable was also a source of great pride and joy as she and Bennie would travel up and down the east coast to watch their horses' race. Betty was active as a local volunteer for the Republican Party, was an inspiration and guiding compass in her husband's political career in local and state government and was a founding benefactor of the Connecticut Center for Child Development in Milford, CT. Betty is survived by her daughters Suzanne Letso and her husband Roger of Newtown, her son John Benvenuto of Greenwich, her daughter Linda McDonald and her husband James of Fairfield, her grandchildren Tyler and Meredith Letso and her granddaughter Jaime McDonald. She is survived by her sisters Florence Kapusta of Stamford, Lucille Cardillo of Milford and her brother Frank Martinelli of Fairfield. She is predeceased by her sisters Anna Rita & Mildred Bianco. A viewing will be held from 2 to 6pm on Sunday, February 8th, 2009, at Castiglione Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich, CT. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, February 9th, 2009, at St. Catherine of Siena, 4 Riverside Avenue, Greenwich. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, 399 North Street, Greenwich. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Ct Center for Child Development, 925 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT 06460, (203) 882-8810, extension 311. Thanks for making the world a better place, Betty. Amen
Published by The Advocate on Feb. 7, 2009.