Carolyn Benkelmann

Carolyn Benkelmann passed away on October 17, 2017 after a short illness at Cayuga Ridge Nursing Home. Friends and family were by her side at her passing. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Wilkinson and Harry Grover, husband Walter Benkelmann and long time partner John Yunker.
She is survived by her children Laura Babcock and husband Michael, her son Mark Benkelmann and wife Sylvia, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Carolyn was born in Boston, Mass on December 21, 1934 but spent her childhood and teen years in Havana, Cuba where she met her first love, Angel. She returned to the US to attend prep school in Kissimmee, Fla. She married Walter Benkelmann on January 13, 1955 in Hollywood, Fla. They started their new family and operated a local restaurant and tavern in Dania, Fla. for many years. Following Walter's death she moved to upstate New York to be near Laura and Michael where she met John Yunker.
Carolyn cared for all things furry, feathered and in the oceans but her real true love was cats which earned her the nickname Cat Lady to many who knew her. She was avid animal supporter and vocal environmentalist who on many occasions sent letters to legislators regarding their positions on environmental issues especially if the issue involved any wildlife habitat or injustice. In her later years she was a volunteer at the Tompkins County SPCA
Final arrangements are being performed by Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca, NY. There will be no public services as family wishes for all that knew her to remember her for the vivacious out going person that she was and what she meant to each of them. To fulfill her wishes and her circle of life her family will return her to Cuba to complete her life's journey.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Tompkins County SPCA