Diane Benitez, known as “Dee,” of Hampton Bays died on December 26 of cancer. She was 79.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on November 27, 1930, she was the first-born child of Alan A. and Mary Bodnar Niem of Bayshore. She was married to Bernard Benitez for nearly 60 years. The couple had four children whom they raised in Hampton Bays.
After her children were grown and on their own, Ms. Benitez founded a successful antique wicker furniture repair business in a building she designed and constructed on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays. She ran Dee’s Caning and Wicker with her son Barry for more than 20 years and served many customers in the Hamptons, New York City, and throughout eastern Long Island.
A member of the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce and a Cub Scout leader, she often hired the needy for her business and took in the homeless. According to her children, she was a good friend and confidante.
In addition to her husband, Bernard Benitez of Hampton Bays, she is survived by two daughters, Lynette Benitez-Armstrong-Nelson of Riverhead and Arlene Benitez Lyne of California; and two sons, Barry Benitez of North Carolina and Wayne Benitez, a career officer in the United States Air Force currently stationed in South Korea. She is also survived by a sister, Sandra Niem Thorpe of Saugerties; a brother, Professor Alan R. Niem of Oregon; three grandchildren, Eric, Alison and Kayla; and a host of relatives and friends.
A celebration of Ms. Benitez’s life is planned for later this year.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978, or Dominican Sisters Family Health Services, 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jan 27, 2010