Suzanne Bennawit Schmalhofer, 70

Suzanne Bennawit Schmalhofer, 70, of Leola, PA, died Saturday, October 20, 2007, at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief illness. She was the wife of James M. Schmalhofer and just celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on May 4^th, 2007. Suzanne was born in Lancaster, PA. She was the daughter of the late Bartholomew and Helen Dochat Bennawit and stepmother Ada Dellet Bennawit. Suzanne’s natural mother died when she was four months old and she was lovingly raised by her stepmother Ada.

Suzanne was office manager for Penn State Agricultural Extension Service of Lancaster County. Her first 15 years she worked as a secretary and the past 21 years she was their office manager. She retired after 36 years of service. Suzanne had the privilege of being honored as the Pennsylvania State University Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi as secretary of the year in 1987. In 2003, the 4H clubs of Lancaster County honored her for her years of service to 4H. She was previously employed for six years as an underwriter for the Hartford Insurance Co. in Washington D.C. During her retirement, she was a religious education teacher at her parish, St. John Neumann.

Suzanne was a 1954 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School and a 1955 graduate of the former Lancaster Business College.

Suzanne was a lover of animals especially her dogs. Over her lifetime she lovingly raised and cared for six Daschunds, three Chihuahuas, two Airedales, a Great Dane and a Scottish Terrier. She enjoyed collecting figurines of cardinals which were her favorite backyard bird. She also was an avid collector of snowman dolls.

Surviving in addition to her husband James, are one daughter Laura Schmalhofer Moore, wife of William “Bill” Moore Jr., and a granddaughter, Gabrielle Schmalhofer Moore, of Leola. Five sisters and one brother, Mary Hiemenz, Catherine Morrissey, William Bennawit, Louise Pennock, Sister Joanella Bennawit CSC, and Doris Bennawit Hohenwarter preceded her in death. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Suzanne leaves behind her three very special dogs, Hunter, Franz, and MacDuff.

Suzanne always told her family one of the greatest moments of her life was seeing Pope John-Paul II when he visited Baltimore. Suzanne will be lovingly missed by her family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Wednesday evening from 7-9pm at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pk. The Holy Rosary will be held at 8:30pm. A second viewing will be held at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Rd. at 11am, with the Rev. John Schmalhofer as celebrant and concelebrants Msgr. Richard Youtz, Rev. Steven Fauser, and Rev. Michael Culkin.  Interment will be at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.