Josephine D. Benny

Josephine D. (Perioli) Benny, who celebrated her 99th birthday a week before, passed peacefully in her sleep into the arms of our Lord on December 16th, 2023.

Josephine is survived by three grandsons, four great granddaughters, six nieces, three nephews, and two wonderful long-time friends and their families.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Mario (Morris) J. Benny, her son Morris Jr., her parents, one grandson, and her four siblings. Josephine was the last family member of her generation.

After moving from the Garrison Street home, she resided at Moravian House for 38 years, then Alexandria Manor for the last 2 ½ years, all Bethlehem locations. “Jo” as most people knew her, was beloved and highly esteemed, always going out of her way to help others, and always known for her wonderful cooking. Her excellent cooking reputation grew through the years as a cook and supervisor at Case Box Lunch, as the assistant head cook at Liberty High School, the chef and cook at the Chelse Café, and as a volunteer at the Old York Road Senior Center. The folks at Moravian house always sought to have her baked goods. She was an energetic easygoing person even in her 90s, she enjoyed people, plus participated and volunteered in the many events and activities at Moravian House. Josephine was always an independent person, while also always being a caretaker. She took daily walks, loved the Lord, prayed daily and always attended mass, even daily on TV when she couldn’t get out to mass. Jo greeted everyone with a smile, gave of herself especially hugs for those who were sad. She will be sorely missed by all who interacted with her.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, December 23. 2023 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12 p.m. at Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church, 730 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Interment will conclude services at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Josephine asked donations to be made to the American Heart Association, 968 Postal Rd Ste 110 Allentown, PA 18109 or the American Lung Association, https://action.lung.org/site/Donation.

Online condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com.