Mary Rita Benfante

Mary Rita Benfante, (known as Nonna to all who loved her) a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Charlottesville, Virginia, due to congestive heart failure. She was 93 years young, a life well-lived, well-loved, and filled with the grace of God. Born on May 4, 1932, in the heart of Sicily, Mary's journey was one of courage, determination, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

Mary's life was a testament to her strength and entrepreneurial spirit. She ventured across the ocean to build a life filled with purpose and passion. Alongside her beloved late husband, Gaetano Benfante, she embraced the American dream with open arms and a resolute heart. Together, they created a legacy of businesses that served their community, from restaurants that offered a taste of home to a grocery store that provided for their neighbors and hair salons where beauty and camaraderie flourished. Mary's hands, skilled in the art of hairstyling and manicure, brought joy and confidence to countless individuals.

Her work ethic was unmatched, but it was her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that truly defined her. Mary's children, Lia and her spouse Neil, Augie and his spouse Stephanie, Marie and her spouse Ric, and Melissa and her spouse Robert, were her pride and joy. She instilled in them the values of love, hard work, and faith. Her grandchildren, Vanessa and Robert Sprogis, Scotty Thoms, Paul and Meghan Thoms, Lia Marie and Corey Powell, Faith Trinity Waugh, Christopher and Taylor Benfante, Jeffrey Fette, Stephen & Leanne Fette, and her great-grandchildren, Grayson Sprogis, Violet Sprogis, Kayleigh Anne Powell, Sadie Grace Powell, Lucas Fette and Nathan Fette were the light of her life. Mary's legacy lives on through the laughter and love of these precious souls.

Mary's Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her existence. It guided her through life's ebbs and flows and was a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew her. Her unwavering belief in the Lord's plan provided her with the strength to face challenges with grace and to embrace every blessing with gratitude.

Her interests were simple yet profound: Her strong love of Jesus & his mother Mary as well as her family were her world. She loved with a boundless heart, and her presence was a warm embrace that enveloped each who knew her.

As we reflect on Mary's life, we are reminded of her indomitable spirit. How she faced adversity Her ability to see the good in every situation, to lift others with her words and actions, and to lead by example, is the legacy she leaves behind. Mary Rita Benfante was not just a name; she was a movement of love, a testament to faith, and a portrait of a life beautifully lived.

Today, as we bid farewell to our beloved Mom, Nonna & Friend, let us not dwell on our loss but celebrate the gift of her life. Let us honor her memory by living fully, loving deeply, and walking in faith as she did.

Mary is now in the arms of Jesus along with her husband, grandchildren and siblings who proceeded her in death. However, her story does not end here; it continues in the lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the hearts she warmed.

May she rest in peace until we meet again in the glory of God's kingdom.