Lois (Duquin) Bening, a much beloved member of the Harbor Hills community in Lady Lake, FL, and Buffalo, NY native passed at the age of 80 on May 14th, 2016. After a determined and courageous battle with cancer she went peacefully with a lifetime of amazing memories with wonderful friends, and loving family that will miss her very much.
Lois was the beloved wife and companion of 62 years to Dave Bening, loving mother to David and Christy Bening (Ohio), Scott and Mary Bening (Indiana) and Tom and Linda Schmidt (New York). She was “Grammie” to Austin, Scotty, Elissa and Billy Bening and Amy Schmidt.
She leaves her devoted sisters and brothers-in-law Diane & Peter Zabel, Joyce and Butch Irving and Carol and Jim Beaver along with dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews, who knew her for her devotion to family even as the extended family members spread far and wide from their Buffalo roots.
She was preceded in death by her father Elmer Duquin and mother Doris (Hanley) Duquin and her brother James Duquin (Connie).
Lois’ life was defined by her determination and creativity. As a lifelong teacher, she inspired endless energy and imagination to the 1st graders of Buffalo’s Sweethome district, while also passing on her knowledge and passion to the next generation of teachers as an adjunct professor at the University of Buffalo. For Lois, every lesson was a game, and every game a chance for her students to step out and learn something new – whether you were in elementary or graduate school.
Never one to slow down, Lois attacked retirement in 2000 at Harbor Hills with vigor. She began a new chapter with loyal friends and neighbors who were eager to learn, play and help as this “dynamo” taught all she touched to truly serve others. Whether sitting on the board of Love-Inc., volunteering at Hospice, caring for a sick neighbor or organizing theme-party fund-raisers, Lois set the bar for selfless caring with fun-filled memories that will stay with us forever.
Lois enjoyed golfing, teaching a new friend to lose at Bridge, playing Mahjong with the girls and traveling with her co-pilot and partner-in-crime, Dave. But for the past 25 years, her life’s passion was spending time with and supporting her grandchildren. Lois was the architect and mastermind of what has become an annual New Year’s Eve celebration to rival any Dick Clark or Ryan Seacrest countdown. Every year brought new themes as her family came together for Recyclables Fashion Shows, Fairy Tale Candy Sales and 70s themed Murder Mysteries. The themes were ridiculous, the planning meticulous, the costumes infamous and the rhymes felicitous. She set the stage for her grandchildren to act a lot sillier, to think a little wittier and to be a weird and wonderful family.
With Dave, she traveled across the country to cheer on her grandkids at ice rinks, tennis courts, dance studios, equestrian arenas and graduations, always the biggest fan. Her five “stars” were a source of pride, joy and strength to push on when her health threatened to stop her.
Lois was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Summerfield, FL.
A service and reception to celebrate and give thanks for a life well-lived will be held at the Harbor Hills Country Club (6538 Lake Griffin Rd., Lady Lake FL 32159) on Saturday, May 28th beginning at 11:30 A.M.
Lois’ request is that in lieu of flowers, that friends and family consider a donation to the Harbor Hills Ladies’ Charity who will continue her legacy of helping those in need in the community. (Checks to: Harbor Hills Ladies’ Charity. C/O – B. Hanner, 39419 Harbor Hills Blvd., Lady Lake, FL 32159.)