Penny Elaine Benkiel, 57, of Washington, PA and formerly of Fairmont, passed away Thursday, September 04, 2014 at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown following an extended illness.
She was born in Marion County on June 28, 1957, one of six children born to the late Eli J. "Steve" and Betty Lucille Keener Harbert.
When Penny was eight years old, she had open heart surgery at WVU Hospital, one of the first and youngest children to have that type of surgery in the state. She never let her heart problems stand in the way of enjoying life to the fullest. Penny lived and laughed and loved with such joy it was easy to forget her limitations. It was well known in the family that she beat the odds so many times that we all just took it for granted that she always would.
During her teenage years, Penny was a volunteer Candy Striper at Fairmont General Hospital. After graduating from East Fairmont High School in the Class of 1975, she became a loving homemaker and mother to the apple of her eye, her beloved son, Matthew Eli.
Her son and all of her family, both immediate and extended, meant the world to Penny. She was genuinely interested in the lives of her relatives, near and far. Family reunions were joyous occasions to Penny and she looked forward to catching up with everyone. In fact, she attended her last family reunion just a few months before she passed away.
If reading were an Olympic sport, Penny would surely have won a medal. From a young age, she loved to get lost in a good book, often reading two books at the same time. She especially enjoyed reading her Bible and was a devout Christian who continually prayed for others. Penny had a kind and generous spirit, ever willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Penny liked to dine in nice restaurants, favoring a homestyle fare. She could also cook up a storm when she wanted to, but often she would simply open up a can of her all-time favorites, those good old butter beans! Penny also had a weakness for homemade peanut butter fudge, frequently requesting it for her birthday.
Listening to music was another one of Penny's favorite pastimes. She especially liked "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams, and her favorite song of all time was Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun", which she said spoke volumes about her life.
Penny is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Mark D. Benkiel of Washington, PA, one son, Matthew Harbert, who she considered to be her greatest blessing in life, and his wife Helen of Fairmont and one daughter, Christine Benkiel of Raleigh, NC.
Also surviving are two brothers, Mark Harbert and his wife Karen of Fairmont, Doug Harbert and his wife Marsha of Fairmont, two sisters, Sharon Huffman and her husband Don of Fairmont and Ginger Harbert of Fairmont, a brother-in-law, Krag Ice of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews including, Jennifer Michael, Kate Haddix, Hannah Martin, Melissa Kuhn, Lisa Daugherty, Brent Huffman, Eric Huffman, Joe Harbert and Taylor Harbert, great nieces Ella and Ava and great nephew Adam, her Uncle Ed and Aunt Andrea Keener of Ohio, her Aunt Rosaleen Heil of Wheeling, and many cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Linda Ellen Harbert Ice, in January 2014.
Penny was laid to rest near her mother and father, grandparents and aunts and uncles in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Winfield, Marion County. Those of us who knew and loved her will miss her deeply. We shall cling to the knowledge that until the very end, Penny fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith.
A verse from one of Penny's favorite poems by C. T. Studd:
~~~~~~~~~~ONLY ONE LIFE~~~~~~~~~~
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say, "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was born in Marion County on June 28, 1957, one of six children born to the late Eli J. "Steve" and Betty Lucille Keener Harbert.
When Penny was eight years old, she had open heart surgery at WVU Hospital, one of the first and youngest children to have that type of surgery in the state. She never let her heart problems stand in the way of enjoying life to the fullest. Penny lived and laughed and loved with such joy it was easy to forget her limitations. It was well known in the family that she beat the odds so many times that we all just took it for granted that she always would.
During her teenage years, Penny was a volunteer Candy Striper at Fairmont General Hospital. After graduating from East Fairmont High School in the Class of 1975, she became a loving homemaker and mother to the apple of her eye, her beloved son, Matthew Eli.
Her son and all of her family, both immediate and extended, meant the world to Penny. She was genuinely interested in the lives of her relatives, near and far. Family reunions were joyous occasions to Penny and she looked forward to catching up with everyone. In fact, she attended her last family reunion just a few months before she passed away.
If reading were an Olympic sport, Penny would surely have won a medal. From a young age, she loved to get lost in a good book, often reading two books at the same time. She especially enjoyed reading her Bible and was a devout Christian who continually prayed for others. Penny had a kind and generous spirit, ever willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Penny liked to dine in nice restaurants, favoring a homestyle fare. She could also cook up a storm when she wanted to, but often she would simply open up a can of her all-time favorites, those good old butter beans! Penny also had a weakness for homemade peanut butter fudge, frequently requesting it for her birthday.
Listening to music was another one of Penny's favorite pastimes. She especially liked "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams, and her favorite song of all time was Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun", which she said spoke volumes about her life.
Penny is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Mark D. Benkiel of Washington, PA, one son, Matthew Harbert, who she considered to be her greatest blessing in life, and his wife Helen of Fairmont and one daughter, Christine Benkiel of Raleigh, NC.
Also surviving are two brothers, Mark Harbert and his wife Karen of Fairmont, Doug Harbert and his wife Marsha of Fairmont, two sisters, Sharon Huffman and her husband Don of Fairmont and Ginger Harbert of Fairmont, a brother-in-law, Krag Ice of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews including, Jennifer Michael, Kate Haddix, Hannah Martin, Melissa Kuhn, Lisa Daugherty, Brent Huffman, Eric Huffman, Joe Harbert and Taylor Harbert, great nieces Ella and Ava and great nephew Adam, her Uncle Ed and Aunt Andrea Keener of Ohio, her Aunt Rosaleen Heil of Wheeling, and many cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Linda Ellen Harbert Ice, in January 2014.
Penny was laid to rest near her mother and father, grandparents and aunts and uncles in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Winfield, Marion County. Those of us who knew and loved her will miss her deeply. We shall cling to the knowledge that until the very end, Penny fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith.
A verse from one of Penny's favorite poems by C. T. Studd:
~~~~~~~~~~ONLY ONE LIFE~~~~~~~~~~
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say, "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Penny Elaine Benkiel, 57, of Washington, PA and formerly of Fairmont, passed away Thursday, September 04, 2014 at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown following an extended illness.
She was born in Marion County on June 28, 1957, one of six children born to the late Eli J. "Steve" and Betty Lucille Keener Harbert.
When Penny was eight years old, she had open heart surgery at WVU Hospital, one of the first and youngest children to have that type of surgery in the state. She never let her heart problems stand in the way of enjoying life to the fullest. Penny lived and laughed and loved with such joy it was easy to forget her limitations. It was well known in the family that she beat the odds so many times that we all just took it for granted that she always would.
During her teenage years, Penny was a volunteer Candy Striper at Fairmont General Hospital. After graduating from East Fairmont High School in the Class of 1975, she became a loving homemaker and mother to the apple of her eye, her beloved son, Matthew Eli.
Her son and all of her family, both immediate and extended, meant the world to Penny. She was genuinely interested in the lives of her relatives, near and far. Family reunions were joyous occasions to Penny and she looked forward to catching up with everyone. In fact, she attended her last family reunion just a few months before she passed away.
If reading were an Olympic sport, Penny would surely have won a medal. From a young age, she loved to get lost in a good book, often reading two books at the same time. She especially enjoyed reading her Bible and was a devout Christian who continually prayed for others. Penny had a kind and generous spirit, ever willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Penny liked to dine in nice restaurants, favoring a homestyle fare. She could also cook up a storm when she wanted to, but often she would simply open up a can of her all-time favorites, those good old butter beans! Penny also had a weakness for homemade peanut butter fudge, frequently requesting it for her birthday.
Listening to music was another one of Penny's favorite pastimes. She especially liked "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams, and her favorite song of all time was Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun", which she said spoke volumes about her life.
Penny is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Mark D. Benkiel of Washington, PA, one son, Matthew Harbert, who she considered to be her greatest blessing in life, and his wife Helen of Fairmont and one daughter, Christine Benkiel of Raleigh, NC.
Also surviving are two brothers, Mark Harbert and his wife Karen of Fairmont, Doug Harbert and his wife Marsha of Fairmont, two sisters, Sharon Huffman and her husband Don of Fairmont and Ginger Harbert of Fairmont, a brother-in-law, Krag Ice of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews including, Jennifer Michael, Kate Haddix, Hannah Martin, Melissa Kuhn, Lisa Daugherty, Brent Huffman, Eric Huffman, Joe Harbert and Taylor Harbert, great nieces Ella and Ava and great nephew Adam, her Uncle Ed and Aunt Andrea Keener of Ohio, her Aunt Rosaleen Heil of Wheeling, and many cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Linda Ellen Harbert Ice, in January 2014.
Penny was laid to rest near her mother and father, grandparents and aunts and uncles in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Winfield, Marion County. Those of us who knew and loved her will miss her deeply. We shall cling to the knowledge that until the very end, Penny fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith.
A verse from one of Penny's favorite poems by C. T. Studd:
~~~~~~~~~~ONLY ONE LIFE~~~~~~~~~~
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say, "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was born in Marion County on June 28, 1957, one of six children born to the late Eli J. "Steve" and Betty Lucille Keener Harbert.
When Penny was eight years old, she had open heart surgery at WVU Hospital, one of the first and youngest children to have that type of surgery in the state. She never let her heart problems stand in the way of enjoying life to the fullest. Penny lived and laughed and loved with such joy it was easy to forget her limitations. It was well known in the family that she beat the odds so many times that we all just took it for granted that she always would.
During her teenage years, Penny was a volunteer Candy Striper at Fairmont General Hospital. After graduating from East Fairmont High School in the Class of 1975, she became a loving homemaker and mother to the apple of her eye, her beloved son, Matthew Eli.
Her son and all of her family, both immediate and extended, meant the world to Penny. She was genuinely interested in the lives of her relatives, near and far. Family reunions were joyous occasions to Penny and she looked forward to catching up with everyone. In fact, she attended her last family reunion just a few months before she passed away.
If reading were an Olympic sport, Penny would surely have won a medal. From a young age, she loved to get lost in a good book, often reading two books at the same time. She especially enjoyed reading her Bible and was a devout Christian who continually prayed for others. Penny had a kind and generous spirit, ever willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Penny liked to dine in nice restaurants, favoring a homestyle fare. She could also cook up a storm when she wanted to, but often she would simply open up a can of her all-time favorites, those good old butter beans! Penny also had a weakness for homemade peanut butter fudge, frequently requesting it for her birthday.
Listening to music was another one of Penny's favorite pastimes. She especially liked "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams, and her favorite song of all time was Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun", which she said spoke volumes about her life.
Penny is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Mark D. Benkiel of Washington, PA, one son, Matthew Harbert, who she considered to be her greatest blessing in life, and his wife Helen of Fairmont and one daughter, Christine Benkiel of Raleigh, NC.
Also surviving are two brothers, Mark Harbert and his wife Karen of Fairmont, Doug Harbert and his wife Marsha of Fairmont, two sisters, Sharon Huffman and her husband Don of Fairmont and Ginger Harbert of Fairmont, a brother-in-law, Krag Ice of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews including, Jennifer Michael, Kate Haddix, Hannah Martin, Melissa Kuhn, Lisa Daugherty, Brent Huffman, Eric Huffman, Joe Harbert and Taylor Harbert, great nieces Ella and Ava and great nephew Adam, her Uncle Ed and Aunt Andrea Keener of Ohio, her Aunt Rosaleen Heil of Wheeling, and many cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Linda Ellen Harbert Ice, in January 2014.
Penny was laid to rest near her mother and father, grandparents and aunts and uncles in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Winfield, Marion County. Those of us who knew and loved her will miss her deeply. We shall cling to the knowledge that until the very end, Penny fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith.
A verse from one of Penny's favorite poems by C. T. Studd:
~~~~~~~~~~ONLY ONE LIFE~~~~~~~~~~
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say, "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
