Eleanor M. Benacquisto

Benacquisto, Eleanor M., age 98, November 1, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Primo for 56 years. Dear mother of Anthony (Judy), Michael (Tina), Steve (Laura), James (Anne), the late Thomas and the late Primo. Loving grandmother of 11 and proud great grandmother of 17. Preceded in death by her brothers Gene, Julio, Romeo and Victor. She is loved and missed by her many nieces and nephews, as well as, her most cherished friends throughout her life. Eleanor volunteered for 40 years at St. Josephs Mercy Hospital (now Henry Ford Macomb Hospital). She loved playing cards with her friends, traveling all the U.S. and Italy. Most importantly, she loved her family, cooking for them, and her church where she volunteered. As a strong woman of faith, a memorial mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township with visiting beginning at 9:30am until the time of the Memorial Mass at 10am.

Eleanor Benacquisto
Lifetime Volunteer

Eleanor started volunteering for the Leukemia Foundation back in the 1950’s after her son died from the disease. That experience left her with an empathy for patients and their families that she passes on in her work at the Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Eleanor remembers the fear and frustration she experienced when her son became ill. She felt that she didn’t have anyone to turn to for support and guidance. She believes that patients and families who are treated at St. Joe’s always have someone to help and explain things. She’s proud that as a volunteer she was a significant in comforting and guiding the people we serve.
“When people come here, they’re scared,” she said. “It makes a difference when you greet them and make them feel comfortable. I think everyone at St. Joe’s goes out of their way to make patients comfortable – from cleaning people to the doctors to the nurses.”
Eleanor has been volunteering at St. Joe’s for 26 years. She volunteered for years in the radiology department, but now enjoys working with patients and staff in the ASC. She thinks volunteering rejuvenates her and has added to the length and quality of her life.
“If you give, you will receive. That’s what I believe. Giving to others is the best gift you can give.”
Other volunteer activities over the years have included the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, St. Angela Catholic Church in Roseville, the Red Cross and Nightingale Nursing Home. She won the Macomb County Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fr. Solanus Casey Center.

Due to the current health conditions face masks must be worn and proper social distancing is required.