Obituary of Joan D. Benzell

Joan D. Benzell (nee Fleming), 88 years young, made a graceful and peaceful exit from this world on the morning of Thursday 2/22/2024. She was loved by many as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, an aunt, and a friend. Joan was born on July 15, 1935 in Roselle Park, NJ to the late Hamilton and Dorothy Fleming. She attended Roselle Park High School where she met her partner for life, Lou. Joan and Lou, high school sweethearts, got married on June 22, 1957 and started the next chapter of their lives with their own family and 5 children. Their life journey also included 18 years in NY state but Joan and Lou eventually "retired" in Southern NJ, Rio Grande, with all their children (and now grandchildren) following suit. Throughout her entire life, Joan always enjoyed sewing, painting, dolls, and teddy bears. Teaching ceramics, making dresses, sewing matching swimsuits for Lou and herself worn on their honeymoon, creating replica miniature porcelain doll wedding dresses, over decades and decades of perfecting these skills, Joan combined them all into master dollmaking and Joan's Bisque Be'Be's was founded. Many different artisan organizations like Doll Artisan Guild, United Federation of Doll Clubs, International Guild of Miniature Artisans, N.A.M.E., to name a few, have all been blessed to have Joan involved as a member, instructor, judge, chairman, and/or President. Though small in stature, Joan was also big in spirit. Whether it be through decorating her house to the nines for each and every holiday, making every grandchild feel as though they were each her favorite, or making her great-grandchildren feel loved through little gifts, Joan made sure to grace everyone with her bigger than life spirit. Joan was the fastest frozen dairy eater around, and would always end a marathon shopping excursion, impromptu family dinner, or "just because" with a scoop or three of ice cream – no man, woman, or child stood a chance in finishing dessert before her. Joan is predeceased by her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 64 years, Dr. Louis H. Benzell and her son Lindsay Benzell. She is survived by loving family, including: her sister Donna Maynard (Brian); her children: Lauri Flemming (Ron), Lisa Snyder (John), Louis Benzell, and Lance Benzell; her grandchildren: Justin Vitti (Mariel), Amanda Vitti, Andrew Vitti (Melissa), John Snyder Jr., Heather Vitti, Robert Snyder, Dylan Benzell, Lance Benzell (Allie), Madison Pierce (Trace), Aaron Flemming, and Vanessa Flemming; her great-grandchildren: Christian Snyder, Jayden Snyder, Sophia Vitti, Riadon Pruett, Piper Vitti, and Lillian Benzell; and many more loving relatives and friends. The family will be holding a private celebration of life. Condolences may be shared at www.EvoyFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) for the fight against dementia and advances in research.