Obituary of Laura Lillian Benedict

St. Regis Falls - Laura Lillian Benedict, age 93, passed peacefully on Monday November 17, 2014 at her home in Valley Falls, NY. Laura was born on March 23, 1921 in St. Regis Falls, NY the daughter of Edison Sochia and Hattie Caskinette Sochia. Laura was the seventh child of Edison and Hattie’s seventeen children. She was married to Homer Church Benedict on September 14, 1940. They owned and managed Benedict’s General Store in Lewis, NY with his father Ardie Benedict. In 1968 Laura and Homer converted the store into an antique shop which she operated for 19 years. Homer died on June 26, 1978, leaving Laura with her two children Janet Marie and Roger Ardie Benedict. Survivors include her daughter Janet Benedict Martin; her daughter in-law Laurel Ferris Benedict; her six grandchildren Travis Martin, Chadd Martin, Crystal Phillips, Dylan Benedict, Brandon Benedict and Holly Benedict; her great grandchildren Roger Martin, Wyatt Martin, Zoe Phillips and Madeline Benedict; seven remaining siblings Catherine Susice, Wilfred Sochia, Eli Robert Sochia, Eldora Tharrett, Timothy Sochia, Adele Sochia and Mary Witherill with numerous nieces and nephews. Laura’s hobbies included golfing, hunting, fishing, rug making, collecting and restoring antiques. She enjoyed having her home filled with friends and family telling stories, playing cards and reminiscing about the old days and good times. She had a great love for music inspired by her son Roger’s passion for playing and building guitars. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held on Friday November 21, 2014 from 5-7 pm at the Hammill Funeral Home in St. Regis Falls, NY. Services to be held Saturday November 22, 2014 at 11 am at the First Congregational Church in Lewis, NY, with burial to follow. Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.hammillfh.com or www.healdfuneralhome@westelcom.com.