Ann Benedict of Southampton and Bluffton, South Carolina, Dies April 7

Ann Benedict of Southampton and Bluffton, South Carolina, died on April 7 after a brief illness. She was 87.

Born on May 13, 1936, and raised in Farmingdale, she graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1954. After graduation, she went on to attend the State University of Education at Oneonta, graduating in 1958.

She married her first husband, George Benedict, in 1957, and went on to have three children: Suzanne Benedict, Barry Benedict and Marianne Epley.

After years of being a homemaker and raising her children, she returned to teaching at Garden City Middle School. She went on to have a 20-year career teaching home education and cooking, and, according to her family, loved every minute of teaching.

In 1994, she reconnected with the love of her life, Henry Valadez, at their high school reunion. As partners, they were together for 30 years until her death. He was by her side every step of the way.

During her retirement years, she would summer in Southampton and winter in Bluffton. During this time, she enjoyed many hobbies and friends.

She enjoyed Mahjong, yoga, crafts, puzzles, playing tennis with her girlfriends and her 9-hole “wine and nine” golf. She especially loved couples golf or “divorce golf,” as she referred to it, with Valadez and her friends at Sun City in South Carolina.

She enjoyed sunset boat rides on the Peconic Bay and traveling the world with Valadez.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and Joseph Schwarz. She is survived by her longtime partner, Henry Valadez; her brother, Robert Schwarz; her three children, Suzanne, Barry, and Marianne (Mark); her six grandchildren, Zach (Brittney) Epley, Nick (Carly) Epley, Chris (Amanda) Epley, Coral (Steve) Scovner, Marissa (Ricky) Fowler, and Reed Benedict. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, and was excited to recently learn that her 13th great-grandchild was on the way.

Her wishes were to be cremated, and her life celebrated with her family.