Jessie (Benson) Cleary DiBeneditto
1921 – 2016

NAUGATUCK - Jessie (Benson) Cleary DiBeneditto, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 19, 2016 at the age of 94.

Jessie was a true New Englander; her ancestors having emigrated to America from England and Germany to farm the rocky soil of Cornwall and Sharon, Connecticut over 400 years ago. She was born in Naugatuck, on September 29, 1921, the daughter of the late Jesse and Katherine (Horton) Benson. She was raised with depression era values, was thrifty, had a mind for saving and investing, and a love for her native Connecticut.

Jessie’s first marriage to Francis Cleary, ended shortly after her son, Dan, was born. She was blessed to have met and married Peter DiBeneditto, one of the most wonderful men to grace this Earth together they had two sons, Joe and Tom, to complete their family with three sons.

Jessie lived most of her life in a home that was built with her grandfather's own hands. She was a proud, hard working and loyal American. She worked for the Western School, retiring after 20 years.

Jessie was very proud of her children and grandchildren, and at every chance would pull pictures from her pocketbook to share with anyone that stopped for a moment to look at them. She was incredibly strong, and had a steely cool exterior. It took time to get to know her, but once you did, you had a loyal friend.

Jessie was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making her own clothing. She was a member of the Naugatuck Senior Center where many memories were made and an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

The family would like to thank Glendale Center for their wonderful care.

Jessie is survived by two sons, Joseph DiBeneditto and his wife, Janet, and Thomas DiBeneditto and his wife, Janice; a daughter-in-law, Donna Cleary; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Daniel Cleary and her brother, John Jennings.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 210 Church Street, Naugatuck. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours are Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. To honor Jessie’s memory contributions may be made to Naugatuck Senior Center, 300 Meadow Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jessie DiBeneditto, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.