Mary Isabelle Benedetto

Mary Isabelle Benedetto, 83, of Wilmington, N.C. passed away peacefully Friday, October 16, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on August 13, 1932, last of seven children of the late James and Ruby Bingham Knapp. When quite young, Mary attended flight stewardess training school and realized her girlhood dream and became a stewardess with American Airlines. She was based at Midway Airport in Chicago and subsequently traveled all over the United States on flights to various cities. She met her husband Carl in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he had been transferred by his employer from Cleveland, Ohio. He later accepted a management assignment with his company to Torino, Italy where Mary and her family spent three very happy years. They returned to the United States to live in Cleveland, Ohio, where they raised their three children in a home filled with love. They eventually moved to Wilmington, N.C. in 1993, which truly became their retirement home by the sea. Mary enjoyed music and reading. She had a passion for poetry and writing verse. She enjoyed walking, especially at the beach, as well as Pilates and meditation. She had a deep respect for "Mother Earth" and animals and was dedicated to living and promoting a healthy vegetarian world. She loved children and they loved her. She was kind and nurturing and genuine and warm. Over the years, her home provided a safe haven to many in their time of need. Mary was raised in the Anglican Church by her Irish Mother. She was an active member of St. Andrews on the Sound Episcopal Church. Most of all, Mary found complete joy in being a wife, mother and grandmother. She had endless energy and embraced each day with a thankful and generous heart. She is survived by her beloved husband of sixty years, Carl, who was her "Gioia" (joy); her daughter Alicia Benedetto and her husband Jeffrey Musick and granddaughter Francesca Benedetto of Columbia, S.C.; son Carlo and his wife Andrella of Santa Ana, Ca.; and daughter Maria Benedetto O'Shea and her husband Timothy and grandchildren Griffin Timothy and Allison Maria of Redwood City, Ca.; as well as brother Roger Knapp and wife (Shirley) of Kalamazoo, Michigan and sister Patricia Hosimer of Lansing, Michigan, several nieces and nephews, as well as her cherished extended family. The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Leo Warshauer, M.D. who cared for Mary for many years, and to the compassionate staff at The Davis Community Rehabilitation and Wellness Pavilion, who provided exemplary care during the last three weeks of her life. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM, Friday, October 30, 2015 at St.Andrew's on-the-Sound. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be directed to St. Andrews on the Sound Church, 101 Airlie Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28403; New Hanover Humane Society Inc., 2405 North 23rd St. Wilmington, NC 28401; or The Davis Community Rehabilitation and Wellness Pavilion, 1011 Porters Neck Road, Wilmington, NC 28411.