Obituary of Stella Dorothy O'Connor Benedickson

Stella Dorothy O’Connor Benedickson, 78, of Howell Township died Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune Township after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. Mrs. Benedickson was born in London, England. She had resided in Hazlet and Manalapan Township before moving to Howell Township. She was a member of the Women’s Republican Club and the Women’s Jaycees, both of Hazlet; a volunteer at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township; and was an accomplished seamstress and knitter. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Robert J. Benedickson. Surviving are her children, Karen MacCloskey and her husband Michael, Dallas, Texas, Dawn J. Benedickson, Shark River Hills, Robert W.H. Benedickson and his wife Denise, Fair Haven, and John P. Benedickson and his wife Lynne, Villanova, Pennsylvania; a sister, Jackie O’Connor, London, England; nine grandchildren, Robert McCloskey, Mical Lee Scott and her husband Jonathan, Christian McCloskey, Christopher Mezey, and Robert, Dylan, Jack and Lucas Benedickson; four great grandchildren, Connor, Seth, Cole and Robbie Scott; a nephew, Rory O’Connor; a niece Kim Padfield; and a great niece, Arianna Padfield. The family is especially grateful to neighbors Bob and Marge Seagriff. Visiting hours will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations to Dr. Richard Childs, (please include in memo “Dr. Childs Kidney Cancer Research Fund), 10 Center Drive, Bldg. 10-CRC, 3-5330, MSC 1230, Bethesada, MD 20892 or Toys for Tots would be appreciated.