Dr. Magdalen M. Benish Memorial

On July 12, 2019, Dr. Magdalen M. Benish, a charter member of the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, went home to be with her Lord. Maggie was Treasurer/Financial Adviser of Board Directors since its formation and a very active member of the Society.

Magdalen received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from King's College in May 2016. She received many awards for service to the community, several are listed below.

• SSCM Fr. Matthew Jankola Lifetime Servant Leadership Award for Ecumenism

• Appreciation Award, the Salvation Army in the Greater Wilkes-Barre, Pa area

• Acknowledged by Geisinger Medical Center as a dedicated volunteer with service achievement, served 15 years in the Pastoral Care Unit in the Hospice and Rehabilitation Centers at Geisinger South, Wilkes-Barre

• Dean School of Business Outstanding Alumni Service Award in appreciation of her many years of dedicated service to Wyoming Seminary.

She was a member of St. Andre Bessette Parish in Wilkes-Barre and a former member of Sacred Heart Slovak Church where she was actively involved as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, choir member and member of the finance committee. She was a retired vice-president of the First Union Bank, in Wilkes-Barre and a member of the President’s Council at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre.

The Slovak Heritage Society of NEPA is indebted to Maggie and grateful for her tireless contribution in the development of the "Reverend Murgaš Exhibit" room at King’s College “Kings on the Square”. Maggie raised $100,000 to pay for the cost of the room and the room’s lighting, future maintenance, and restoration of some Murgaš exhibit pieces.

Odpočinute večne daj je Pane, a svetlo večne nech je sviety.

Eternal rest grant unto her Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. 

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.