Frances "Frankie" Benya was the daughter of the late John and Franciska (Frances) Bortnik Benya who were both of Slovakia and immigrated to America. Frankie was the third child behind Helen Gereg, the oldest, then the late Steven Benya, and Ruth (Hampton), the youngest of the four. They grew up on their parents dairy farm in Brookfield, Conn. known as "Happy Landings Farm". The family would often talk in Slovak and prepare and eat Slovakian meals. They all worked hard each day to support the farm and the children also attended school in Brookfield. She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1934.
Frankie served proudly in World War II in the Womans Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC) and worked in the motor pool. She attained the rank of Sgt while there. She recieved the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the WAAC Service Ribbon.
She was a fun hearted lady who for years lived in Pasedena California and drove a convertable corvette. She was often thought of as "THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASEDENA". At least she was by me, lol!!! If anyone has a picture of her with her vet let me know!!! She was a member of the Corvette Club of Pasedena. She kept it in mint, like new mint condition! She even had a name for it! She called it Penny!She would often get stopped on the road and offered big money for her car!! I kid you not! It was one of the early model vets. A 64 I think and she kept it for about 20 years. It didn't sit in the garage. It was the only car she had. It was an Indianapolis 500 pace car I believe which made it even more valuable. A fittingly classy car for her. Unique and one of a kind, just like her. She gave it up later in the mid 80's I think, for a big red caddie.
She lived in Pasedena, California just off Colorado Blvd were the Rose parade goes every year. She would sit in her own yard and watch it every year.
She was an excellent cook and baker!! She used to make everyone the best cake, candy and pastries. When I say the best, I mean the BEST! Something you might get at a world class bakery or four star restraunt or served to world leaders! She was trained for it and put that extra special touch in it. She worked as Supervising Cook of the Diagnostic School for Neurologically Handicapped Children in Los Angeles, California. She never married.
She was buried with wonderful full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery with class and style, just as she would have liked.
Thanks for everything Frankie! Thankyou for you're style and creativity and generous spirit! Thanks for your service in the WAACS!
Frankie served proudly in World War II in the Womans Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC) and worked in the motor pool. She attained the rank of Sgt while there. She recieved the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the WAAC Service Ribbon.
She was a fun hearted lady who for years lived in Pasedena California and drove a convertable corvette. She was often thought of as "THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASEDENA". At least she was by me, lol!!! If anyone has a picture of her with her vet let me know!!! She was a member of the Corvette Club of Pasedena. She kept it in mint, like new mint condition! She even had a name for it! She called it Penny!She would often get stopped on the road and offered big money for her car!! I kid you not! It was one of the early model vets. A 64 I think and she kept it for about 20 years. It didn't sit in the garage. It was the only car she had. It was an Indianapolis 500 pace car I believe which made it even more valuable. A fittingly classy car for her. Unique and one of a kind, just like her. She gave it up later in the mid 80's I think, for a big red caddie.
She lived in Pasedena, California just off Colorado Blvd were the Rose parade goes every year. She would sit in her own yard and watch it every year.
She was an excellent cook and baker!! She used to make everyone the best cake, candy and pastries. When I say the best, I mean the BEST! Something you might get at a world class bakery or four star restraunt or served to world leaders! She was trained for it and put that extra special touch in it. She worked as Supervising Cook of the Diagnostic School for Neurologically Handicapped Children in Los Angeles, California. She never married.
She was buried with wonderful full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery with class and style, just as she would have liked.
Thanks for everything Frankie! Thankyou for you're style and creativity and generous spirit! Thanks for your service in the WAACS!
Frances "Frankie" Benya was the daughter of the late John and Franciska (Frances) Bortnik Benya who were both of Slovakia and immigrated to America. Frankie was the third child behind Helen Gereg, the oldest, then the late Steven Benya, and Ruth (Hampton), the youngest of the four. They grew up on their parents dairy farm in Brookfield, Conn. known as "Happy Landings Farm". The family would often talk in Slovak and prepare and eat Slovakian meals. They all worked hard each day to support the farm and the children also attended school in Brookfield. She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1934.
Frankie served proudly in World War II in the Womans Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC) and worked in the motor pool. She attained the rank of Sgt while there. She recieved the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the WAAC Service Ribbon.
She was a fun hearted lady who for years lived in Pasedena California and drove a convertable corvette. She was often thought of as "THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASEDENA". At least she was by me, lol!!! If anyone has a picture of her with her vet let me know!!! She was a member of the Corvette Club of Pasedena. She kept it in mint, like new mint condition! She even had a name for it! She called it Penny!She would often get stopped on the road and offered big money for her car!! I kid you not! It was one of the early model vets. A 64 I think and she kept it for about 20 years. It didn't sit in the garage. It was the only car she had. It was an Indianapolis 500 pace car I believe which made it even more valuable. A fittingly classy car for her. Unique and one of a kind, just like her. She gave it up later in the mid 80's I think, for a big red caddie.
She lived in Pasedena, California just off Colorado Blvd were the Rose parade goes every year. She would sit in her own yard and watch it every year.
She was an excellent cook and baker!! She used to make everyone the best cake, candy and pastries. When I say the best, I mean the BEST! Something you might get at a world class bakery or four star restraunt or served to world leaders! She was trained for it and put that extra special touch in it. She worked as Supervising Cook of the Diagnostic School for Neurologically Handicapped Children in Los Angeles, California. She never married.
She was buried with wonderful full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery with class and style, just as she would have liked.
Thanks for everything Frankie! Thankyou for you're style and creativity and generous spirit! Thanks for your service in the WAACS!
Frankie served proudly in World War II in the Womans Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC) and worked in the motor pool. She attained the rank of Sgt while there. She recieved the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the WAAC Service Ribbon.
She was a fun hearted lady who for years lived in Pasedena California and drove a convertable corvette. She was often thought of as "THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASEDENA". At least she was by me, lol!!! If anyone has a picture of her with her vet let me know!!! She was a member of the Corvette Club of Pasedena. She kept it in mint, like new mint condition! She even had a name for it! She called it Penny!She would often get stopped on the road and offered big money for her car!! I kid you not! It was one of the early model vets. A 64 I think and she kept it for about 20 years. It didn't sit in the garage. It was the only car she had. It was an Indianapolis 500 pace car I believe which made it even more valuable. A fittingly classy car for her. Unique and one of a kind, just like her. She gave it up later in the mid 80's I think, for a big red caddie.
She lived in Pasedena, California just off Colorado Blvd were the Rose parade goes every year. She would sit in her own yard and watch it every year.
She was an excellent cook and baker!! She used to make everyone the best cake, candy and pastries. When I say the best, I mean the BEST! Something you might get at a world class bakery or four star restraunt or served to world leaders! She was trained for it and put that extra special touch in it. She worked as Supervising Cook of the Diagnostic School for Neurologically Handicapped Children in Los Angeles, California. She never married.
She was buried with wonderful full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery with class and style, just as she would have liked.
Thanks for everything Frankie! Thankyou for you're style and creativity and generous spirit! Thanks for your service in the WAACS!
Gravesite Details
Interment date 3-23-2000. SGT US Army. Veteran Service Dates from 08-05-1943 to 01-20-1946. Information extracted from the National Cemetery Administration's National Gravesite Locator. http://www.cem.va.gov/
