Isabel MacEntee Benward, 88, of Staatsburg, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Ferncliff Nursing home, Rhinebeck. Mrs. Benward was a longtime area resident. She worked as a seamstress in Poughkeepsie. After her retirement, she helped take care of the elderly as a caregiver. She was a member and past Officer of the Fishkill Plains Grange. She was a member, Sunday school teacher, and bus monitor at the Faith Assembly of God in Poughkeepsie.
Born in Walden, New York on Jan. 20, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Elizabeth DeGroodt Bacon. Survivors include two daughters, Constance O. Smith of Wappingers; Helen LaFumee of Poughkeepsie; a son, George MacEntee Jr. and wife, Sue, of Highland; several grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, great-great grandchildren, one brother; one sister, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her two husbands, George MacEntee, Sr. and Clifford Benward; two brothers, one sister, and a son-in-law, Vernon Smith. Calling hours will be Friday, March 18, from 7-9pm and on Saturday, March 19 from 10-11am at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte 9, Hyde Park. Funeral services will be 11am, Saturday at the funeral home. Rev. Edward Jones will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot at New Paltz Rural cemetery.
