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- [S927] Obituary.
FLORENCE - Catherine Rita Kelly Zwick Benjamin returned to Northern Kentucky three weeks ago to spend time with her daughters and grandchildren. The timing turned bittersweet when she died Friday at St. Luke Hospital West in Florence. Mrs. Benjamin was 84.
"She was kind and would do anything for you. She loved life," said her daughter, Carol A. Hall of South Port, N.C.
Mrs. Benjamin grew up during the Depression and World War II. As a young woman living in Lower Price Hill, she walked to work every day, passing a cigar store owned by John Zwick, who had come back from the war. He also owned a bar and earned a little money on the side as a bookie, according to daughter Cathy Code of Florence.
Though he was 11 years older than Catherine, the two fell in love and married in 1945.
Zwick sold the store and bar, becoming a switchman for B&O Railroad.
Some years later, he became ill with bleeding ulcers and was unable to work. He died in 1968 from cancer. During his illness and following his death, Catherine was the family's sole breadwinner.
In 1969, she was introduced to her second husband, Robert A. Benjamin, by her daughter, Cathy. Her daughter had met him through her work as a baby-sitter. He was a security guard who made sure she got home safely.
"I thought that he would be good for Mom," her daughter said.
The couple were married in 1971. They lived near Cleves before moving to South Port.
Like Zwick, Benjamin was a World War II veteran. He and Catherine got involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Catherine volunteered as president for Post 7570 in Harrison, Post 10100 in South Port and Post 2573 in Wilmington, N.C. She visited the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Fayetteville, N.C., worked bingo games and visited people in nursing homes.
"She knew what it was like to do without, so she wanted to help others," Hall said.
Visitation will be 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Henry Church, Elsmere. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.
Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, 333 Guthrie St., Suite 207, Louisville,
Catherine Rita Kelly Zwick Benjamin
Catherine Rita Kelly Zwick Benjamin, 84, died Friday, November 9, 2007, at St. Luke West Hospital in Florence, Ky. She was born November 5, 1922, and was a former resident of Southport.Mrs. Benjamin was past president of VFW Post 7570 in Harrison, Ohio, VFW Post 10100 in Southport and VFW Post 2573 in Wilmington. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Carol A. Hall of Southport and Cathy Code of Florence, Ky.; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Robert A. Benjamin and John J. Zwick. Mass of Christian Burial was held today (Wednesday) at St. Henry Church in Elsmere, Ky. Burial followed at St. Mary Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Ky. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 333 Guthrie Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.
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1922 - 2007 (85 years)
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