With sadness I announce the death of my mother, Jean (Eisenhaure) Mingin Benedict. To use clichés, she was one of those people that was beautiful both inside and out. Aside from her role as a loving wife and mother, she epitomized duty and responsibility to her community. She was both loving and strident in a way to encourage both comfort and efficiency and gave everyone with a heartbeat a sense of belonging... She died May 29, 2020 at the age of 92 at Voorhees Senior Living in Voorhees, NJ. The last three years she was afflicted with dementia, a terrible ailment that steals one's personality, memories and life's energy. Many in eldercare label it as “the long goodbye,” and as a witness I must agree. Surely, she is in a better place now; my mother was never one to ride with changes in technology and cultural evolution—or degradation—depending on one's view. As her cognition faded, the world became an alien place, without enough familiarity to stave off the horrors of dementia. Although she did not die of COVID-19, in a way she was one of its victims as the isolation and virtual imprisonment in eldercare facilities is depriving many seniors of their connections to the “outside world.” Her brother Myron also passed the day before yesterday, and although narrow-minded cynics may mark this as a coincidence, this demonstrates a spiritual connection as she accompanies her brother to a world much kinder than this. Along with her mother Vivian, and her brothers Jim and Myron (and a son, Wes) she was part of a family group of stalwart educators and administrators that valued teaching and learning—and public education--as an art and science. She survived two husbands: George W. Mingin, and Farrand N. Benedict, a son, Jeff, and her siblings—James and Myron. Her survivors include: a son, Wes, daughter-in-law, Susan and three stepdaughters from her second marriage—Liz, Barb, and Nancy, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Due to the current public health crisis, a memorial service will be held as Jean is put to rest in Skaneateles, NY in a memorial service—hopefully at a time that allows larger public gatherings. At that time we will celebrate with people cherished by this remarkable woman. Arrangements under the direction of DANKS-HINSKI FUNERAL HOME, LINDENWOLD NJ. To leave lasting condolences please use the tribute wall on this page.