Gwendolyn Gail Benezette

Gwendolyn Gail Waters was born on the Ides of March of 1950, in Virginia to parents Connie Waters and Lieutenant Jack Waters of the Missouri Highway Patrol.

She grew up in Lebanon and Jefferson City, Missouri, attending school there before moving to Rolla, Missouri. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1968, before going to University of Missouri – Rolla with the intent to pursue a degree in Journalism.

There, she met Bob Benezette in 1968 while at Rolla. They fell in love and began their lives together after getting married in 1970. After Bob's graduation, they joined the Oldsmobile family in Lansing, Michigan in 1973. She later enrolled at Michigan State University in 1974 and graduated with a degree in Communications in 1976. She was an avid Spartan for the rest of her life.

Wendy worked as a sales manager at WFMK for about 8 years, helping countless clients throughout this time. She made lifelong friends and contacts with clients as their “cracker jack salesperson” all over the greater Lansing area.

Wendy and Bob welcomed two wonderful sons into the world, Beau and Zack. Throughout the boy’s time in school, she took all of her hard work and dedication from her previous professional job and poured those skills into volunteering. She devoted countless hours to Parent-Teacher Organizations, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, band parent assistance, setting up events, and helping wherever she was needed. Her willingness to give her time made a meaningful difference in the lives of her sons, as well as many other families.

As her sons got older, she returned to work at Marshall Field’s and later Macy’s for 15 years. While at Macy’s, she built lasting relationships with various clients that came in. She loved sharing stories from her day, and the many clients who returned over the years reflected the kindness and dedication she brought to her job.

After retiring, she cherished the arrival of spring and summer, frequently traveling to Manistee Lake in northern Michigan. It served as a home base for adventures throughout the region, particularly to Charlevoix and Traverse City. She loved the area’s scenic waterfronts, unique shops, and local restaurants, creating many treasured memories throughout the years. Upon the arrival of autumn, she would go on frequent color tours, admiring the vibrant autumn landscape and changing leaves.

Wendy will be remembered for her kindness, for her love of her family, and as a cheerleader and bright light to the people she held close.

Wendy is survived by her husband of 55 years Bob, her two sons Beau and Zack, her brother Jack, brother-in-law Burt Walker, niece Jennifer Ness, nephew Ryan Waters, and other cherished family and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents Connie and Jack Waters, sister-in-law Nancy Walker, and nephew Ryan Walker.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 7th at 1PM, with the Celebration of Life at 2PM. Services will be held at Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917.

In lieu of flowers, when the leaves begin to change in autumn, take a moment to appreciate their beauty as a simple reminder of life's changing seasons.