Mary A. Bentz

She was 84.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leo L. Bentz; her children, William "Bill" Bentz, Marilee Bentz Kishner (Richard) and Laurie Bentz Labelle (George); and her sister, Dorothy A. Ryan and her brother, Paul Adlington. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Tyler and Justice Bentz, Kelsey Varga and Joseph and Michael Labelle.

Mary was born in New York, the daughter of Elizabeth and Arthur Adlington, who both immigrated from England.

Mary was a pioneer as a young woman. In her late teens, she traveled from New York to South Florida to attend Barry College as a mathematics major, a field that was then dominated by men.

In 1953, she met Leo on a visit to his ski school in Miami Beach and their romance quickly blossomed. They were married in 1954 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Miami Beach. They soon had three children who they began raising while operating their very successful "Lee's Ski School"

enterprise.

Mary proved herself to be a successful entrepreneur and astute businesswoman.

Mary was also an outstanding athlete who established herself as a world-class water ski competitor at venues like Cypress Gardens.

She won many competitive championships in various categories, including trick ski and slalom.

In 1969, Mary and her family moved to Lighthouse Point.

Mary enjoyed tennis, dancing and bridge with her many friends in Lighthouse Point.

She was a founding member of and active parishioner at St. Paul's Catholic Church.

But Mary's first love was her family, especially the time she spent with her five grandchildren, who all affectionately called her Beam Beam.

Mary always made the holidays a special family time. Christmas was an especially warm and festive place at Beam Beam's home, when her young grandchildren would gather in anticipation of Santa's arrival, enjoy one of Beam Beam's delicious home-cooked meals and open family gifts.

We will all deeply miss our beloved Mary and her love, hugs and infectious laugh. Mary was a devout and faithful Catholic, who lived out her Christian calling with authentic devotion and love. We are comforted to know that her faith will lead her to a well-deserved place in heaven and into Jesus' warm and loving embrace. We know too, that she will be a dedicated intercessor in heaven for all her friends and especially for her beloved family.

Friends may call on Monday April 17, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Horizon Funeral & Cremation Services, 4650 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, Florida 33064 where a Catholic Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday April 18th at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2700 N.E. 36th St., (Sample Road) Lighthouse Point, FL 33064.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Mary Bentz to the New Building Fund at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.