Jane Amelia (Campbell) Benna

the Lord, and back to her husband Frank’s side on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

A Haslett, Michigan resident for the past ten years, Jane was a friend to many. No family event was complete without her country humor, snack platters, and stout Manhattans.

Jane was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Frank Charles Benna. She was also predeceased by

sisters June Holton, Camilla Peluso, and Faye Niece, and brother Donald Campbell. Jane is survived by

her sister Jean MacGibbon, and her children: Angela (John) Carey of Williamston, Michigan, Gina

(Stewart) Jordan of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Anthony (Debbie) Benna of Bradenton, Florida. Jane is

also survived by five grandchildren: Brian Benna, Amy (Anand) Navarasala, Jack (Liz) Carey, John

(Marian) Jordan, and David (Chelsie) Jordan, and five great grandchildren: Jackson Benna, John Carey,

Anaya Navarasala, James Jordan, and Lillian Jordan.

A product of the rural Catskills in upstate NY, Jane grew up during the depression, and was no stranger

to hard work. She had many stories to tell of living with her grandma - collecting walnuts, picking wild

blueberries, and taking an iron skillet to house-gnawing porcupines were just a few; she was a born

story teller.

Jane married Frank when she was just 19, and they raised a family on their farm in Masonville, NY. The

family ran a commercial chicken operation, raised rabbits, beef and milk cows, and tended their one

acre garden. Jane’s husband Frank also worked as a skilled machinist and heated their 200-year-old

farmhouse with wood. Jane ran the house, and served up polenta, soft salami and cabbage, and

burgundy rabbit to many. Empty chairs were rare, walking away still hungry was unheard of.

When her children were older, Jane spent many years in the food service industry. She served food and

tended bar at the Friendly Tavern, ran the cash register at the Amphenol Canteen, and worked at the

Imperial Lounge for her sister Faye.

Some of Jane’s favorite things were the New York Yankees, MSU Spartans, telling jokes, entertaining

anyone and everyone, and mostly, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s name may be made to Hospice of Lansing. Memorial services will

be announced at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Benna family.