Obituary of JoAnne Marie Benoy

BENOY (NEE RISCH), JOANNE (BICKFORD) OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA, drifted into Heaven on May 3, 2019 at age 81.  She will be sadly missed by husband of 53 years, David Benoy; daughters, Julie (Dean) Dreckman, Jill Bickford (Mick Donovan), Wendy (Daryl) Seim, Jenny Bickford (Brad Underwood); grandchildren, Erika, Evan, Krista, Kayla; great grandchildren, Arianna, Brayden, Carter; brother, Douglas (Carolyn) Risch; many cherished in-laws, friends, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

JoAnne demonstrated strength, compassion, curiosity, and creativity her entire life.  Her laugh could light up a room.  Sustained by her strong faith in God, she overcame the death of her first husband, Jack Bickford at age 27, lymphoma at 60, and then bagan a battle with leukemia at 79.  Her quiet bravery as she started each new day with hope and grace was a lasting life lesson for those who knew her.  

JoAnne loved entertaining, cooking, sewing and was an extraordinary quilter, creating 380 quilts in her lifetime, including 101 quilts of valor quilts for fundraisers/charities and quilts stitched with love that will be treasured forever by friends and family.

An extremely social person, she loved her coffee club, quilting groups and their Hitchhiker RV Club.  JoAnne and Dave enjoyed traveling to experience the beauty of nature, local culture and people.  Family trips to the British Isles, Europe, and RV trips to nearly every state created lasting memories.  

Visitation Thursday, May 9th at 930AM with 11AM Service at Forest Hills United Methodist Church, 1790 11sth Street SE, Forest Lake, MN 55025 (651-464-5249).  Private interment.  Memorials preferred to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS.org) or Forest Hills United Methodist Church.