Benfanti, Kathryn E. "Kay" (Nee Parsons) - December 5, 2021 - Beloved wife of the late Charles P. Benfanti. Loving mother of Elizabeth M. (Robert) Johnson, Charles (Pauline) W. , Kathryn Benfanti and William (Kathleen Makolinski) Benfanti. Cherished grandmother of Kayla, Siobhan, Eilis and Charles R. Benfanti. Dear Sister of the late William (Marge) Parsons. The family will receive friends at the C. Mertz & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 911 Englewood Ave. Thursday from 4 to 7 PM. All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Church (1085 Englewood Ave.) on Friday at 9:30 AM. Please assemble at Church. Kay attended the Cadette program at D’Youville College, a rigorous program for young woman to be educated as teachers. She was well prepared by St. Vinney’s and Mt. St. Josephs. She became an 18-year-old 3rd grade teacher at Nativity School in Buffalo, and fell for the 18 year old janitor, Charlie, her future husband, both working their way through college. He gained her attention by stapling the pages of her calendar together, moving her chair to the top of her desk and hiding her erasers; hijinks was his mating call. Together they shared many happy years and often enjoyed the basis of their early dating style of fun. Kay prepared Sunday dinners, with feast like qualities, which everyone attended. The debilitating disease of dementia took her from us years ago and disconnected her elegant communication, brilliance and wit. Her most famous quote was retrieved on the day she was told she was suffering from this disease, and announced, “ Sometimes you are forced to live in the present moment.” Kay was well known for over 350 beauty life hacks, most notably, “ Don’t frown you will get wrinkles.” As an avid reader, artist, worldwide traveler and connisouer of fun, Kay gleaned pleasure from daily living. As Mrs. Benfanti, the 3rd grade teacher at St. John the Baptist, she was passionate for the children and the families that she taught. Her posse of girl friends spanned her entire life. Later in life Kay chose to be a political analyst, freely sharing her daily information with family and friends. Beannaigh Dia Kathryn. In lieu of flowers donations to Sisters of St. Mary of Namur (241 Lafayette Ave. Buffalo, ) Please share condolences for the family at www.mertzfh.com