Obituary of Norma I. Benke

Norma I. Benke,, 87, of Belvidere, NJ, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at the Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL. Born in 1921 in Gibsonville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Marvin B. and Luella Madren. Norma was a member of the Belvidere United Methodist Church since 1939; the United Methodist Women, receiving a special recognition award for volunteer services and fund raising in 1974; active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Delaware Chapter #50 Phillipsburg in which she joined in 1944 and received her 60 year bar in 2004: she served as Worthy Matron twice, 1952-53 and 1986-87 and was a Grand Representative to the state of Wisconsin in 1987-89. Norma was an avid bowler. She was inducted into the Morris County Women's Bowling Association, which consists of three counties, Warren, Sussex and Morris, Hall of Fame in 1988 for her superior performance. She won High Average in the Association in 1966-67. Her team won the State Tournament in 1969 (handicap division) and the County Tournament in 1974(net division) and the Doubles Net with Chris Berardi in 1983 with a total of 1229 pins. She served a number of years as Director and Delegate to the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC). In June 2004 at Wichita, KS, she completed 36 years in the Nationals. In 1968 at San Antonio, TX, she finished 19th in the nation in singles. Over the years Norma bowled in leagues at Bel-Pike Lanes, White Township, Oakwood Lanes, Washington, Bar-Don Lanes, Easton and Warren Lanes, Phillipsburg beginning her career in former Belvidere Recreation Center in 1947. Retiring from Hoffmann LaRoche in 1986, she also worked in the hosiery industry in Reidsville, NC and the Pequest and Hardwick Knitting Mills, Belvidere, NJ. She also worked for the Warren County Probation Department as a foster mother to some 90 children in the 1960's and '70's. Norma loved to travel, covering many foreign countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece, the Holy Land, Egypt and Luxor, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada and Mexico. She also traveled on several cruises including Alaska, Hawaii, Nova Scotia and the Caribbean twice on a Barefoot Cruise. Surviving are two sons; Dr. Paul J. Benke and his wife Susan of Miami Shores, FL, Gary M Benke and his wife Susan of Belle Mead, NJ; three granddaughters, Jennifer Bottorff, Nashville, TN, Dr. Lisa Benke-Cassileth, Los Angeles, CA and Carolyn Harvey-Claus of Louisville, CO; three grandsons, Alex of NY, Dr. Michael at NYU and Peter Benke of Los Angeles; six great-grandchildren, Ramsey and Dennis Bottorff, Nashville, Albert and Sloane Cassileth of Los Angeles, Samantha and Emily Harvey-Claus, Louisville, CO; a son-in-law, Walter Ben Harvey of S. Glastonbury, CT; two brothers, Marvin B. Madren Jr. and Albert B. Madren both of Reidsville, NC; several nieces and nephews. Her husband of 50 years and former Belvidere Mayor, Arthur H. Benke died in 1989. Also predeceased in her death are a daughter, Arlene Harvey who died in 1979, five brothers and three sisters. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be made in her memory to the Scholarship Fund of the Belvidere United Methodist Church, 219 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823. To send a lasting tribute or condolences to the Benke family, please sign the Online Guestbook below. Click "Sign Guestbook". Read Norma Benke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com.