BENACKA, Hilda S.

Hilda S. Benacka, died May 30, 2003. Born in Passaic, NJ and raised in Taunton, MA. As a teenager she enjoyed going with friends to Port Arthur's Dinner/Dance Club in Providence, RI. It is there that she met her beloved husband Gus of 58 wonderful years. In 1946, they married and moved to Chicago, IL. Hilda worked as the first and only female dispatcher at Motorola for 10 years, hence receiving the nickname "Stormy". She also served as past President of the Kurdel/Cigoi Post 1110 of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary in Chicago, IL. In 1988, Hilda and Gus retired and moved to Phoenix, AZ. Hilda leaves behind her cherished husband August; sons, Robert Benacka, and John and his wife Deborah Benacka; sister, Alice Dutra; brothers, Antone and wife Elsie Horta, and Frank and his wife Judy Horta; special niece, Rosemary Horta. She is further survived by many loved nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. With special thanks to doctors Lauver, Gutman, Zuhl and Long; and the Banner Hospice family. Viewing will be held Monday, June 2nd from 3 PM to 8 PM at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 3rd at 9:30 AM at Corpus Christi Church, 3550 E. Knox Road, Phoenix, AZ. Burial will be immediately following Services at National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Banner Hospice, 1325 N. Fiesta Blvd., Suite 1, Gilbert, AZ 85233. Published in the Arizona Republic on 6/1/2003.