Judith De Benedetto

She was born in Fresno on April 26, 1939, the daughter of Harry and Elsie Baker, sister of Mary Lehman and Bob Baker. She graduated from Fresno High (Class of '57) and attended Fresno State College.

She met her husband Maury DeBenedetto, while working as a dental assistant. They celebrated their 51st anniversary on January 30th.

She was blessed with a fulfilling life as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an avid homemaker who loved to fish with husband Maury. She loved baiting her own hook but not unhooking her fish. She loved watching her children and later, grandchildren in all of their activities. She rejoiced in everything her grandchildren did, like sitting in a freezing goose blind with her two oldest grandsons. Scoring dives in the pool for Mikey and Lea, Grandparents' Days, Christmas Plays and all their activities. She supervised all the gardening at home because everything had a specific order.

Judy loved the time spent on the 'Cousin' cruises while sight seeing and visiting places she only dreamed about including the group dinners and time spent just talking and visiting with her extended family. She also enjoyed sharing a good glass of red wine with family and friends.

She was very active in Right-to-Life, the Holy Rosary Society, and enjoyed her time with the 'Birthday Club'. She was a very charitable person giving to many organizations. Judy attended services at Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church.

The DeBenedetto family would like to thank long-time very special friend Dottie DeMera who was at her side during her illness and for all of her love and support throughout the years. They wish to thank all the friends and family members who visited her, especially those from out-of-town. They would also like to give a special thanks to Hinds Hospice for their loving care, kindness and support and in addition caregiver Becky Deaver.

She was preceded by her Father, Harry; brother, Bill; and daughter, Annemarie.

She is survived by her mother, Elsie; brother, Bob; sister, Mary and Bill Lehman; and nephews Andrew and John with their wives La Stacey and Sontine and their families. She leaves behind three sons, Maury and his wife Susan, Matthew and his wife Kim and Mark and his wife Tracy; and daughter, Lisa. There are 14 grandchildren, Jeramie, Heather, Mauro/Chelsea, Luke, Alex, Brennan, Mikey, Regan, Cristian, Lea, Tarryn, Matisen, and Mason; and one great-grandchild, Haleigh.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, March 3, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on March 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St Peter's Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Annemarie DeBenedetto Scholarship Fund at Our Lady of Victory School to help underprivileged children receive a parochial education, or your favorite charity, in lieu of flowers.