Irene M. Benko
- Robert D. Gray
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
7/12/25
Irene M. Benko, 95, died peacefully at home on July 12, 2025. Irene was born in Binghamton, N.Y. to Mary and Andrew Gobany on December 2,1929.
She graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1947 and began working as a secretary and became an Administrative Assistant for the School of Liberal Arts at Broome Community College later in her career. In 1950, she married Vincent A. Benko and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on July 22, 2020. They resided in Binghamton for 62 years until relocating to Skaneateles N.Y. in 2016 where she resided at the time of her death. Irene was communicant of St Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles, N.Y. and St Cyril’s Church in Binghamton N.Y.
A woman of kindness, Irene will be remembered for her caring and gentle nature. She had a warm and welcoming smile for everyone she met. Her family was her greatest joy and she devoted her life to taking care of each and everyone of them. She had an exceptional love for learning, was a voracious reader and instilled that love in her children. Irene enjoyed nothing more than producing meals like a short order cook, attending endless sporting events and dance recitals and babysitting her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Irene is predeceased by her parents, Mary and Andrew Gobany and her husband, Vincent Benko. She is survived by her brother, Robert Gobany and her children , David(Christine) Benko, Monroe Falls, OH, Diane(Peter) Lynch, Skaneateles, NY, and James Benko, Silver Spring, MD, grandchildren, Jessica(William) Murphy, John,(Danielle) Lynch, Patrick(Jackie) Benko, Regan(Ryan) McKinley, Brian(Maggie) Benko, Mary Elizabeth(Dennis) Woo, Colin(Lizzie) Benko, Sarah(Dan) Oska, and Margaret(James) Buckley and 20 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank and are grateful to Laurie,Yolanda, Lisa, Renee, Margaret, Nicole and Rita for their help and the loving care they provided to Irene throughout the last years of her life.
Service will be private and in lieu of flowers donations may remade to Hospice of Central New York of the Finger Lakes.
To send condolences, visit robertgrayfuneralhome.com.
Dear Dave, Diane and Jim, I rarely check the local obituaries, but did today and saw the notice of your Mother's passing. How great it was to have her in your lives this long. I think so many of us, especially in Nimmonsburg, were blessed to have had such loving and involved parents as we were growing up. My condolences to your family.
Elaine Williams Bielenberg
Dave, Diane, and Jimmy,
Although it's been many years, I remember your mom (and dad) as the kindest and the most genuine parents that any child could have. I was very sorry to hear of your mom's passing and remember her as always cheerful and encouraging both when I was in high school and at Broome Tech.
Chuck Lasicki
Condolences to the Benko family, your mom was such a nice lady, Rest in Peace Mrs.Benko
I fondly remember Irene when I took my 3 little boys to their dad’s office at BCC. Irene always welcomed a quick chat with the boys when they saw her.. She was extremely kind and welcoming to all.