BENKO

Mary Erin Jean Benko (née Mellis) of Winfield, Alberta passed away after a brief illness at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the age of 85 years. 

Mary was a loving and generous lady, who was not above some shenanigans.  She was raised in a military household.  Her dad was an airman in World War II and continued in his career for many years after.  When Mary married, she became a military wife.  She worked very hard for her family through many postings, deployments, and changes that came with the military culture.  In later years, in spite of losing her loving husband, and then her vision, Mary was able to lead a wonderful life of travel and enjoyment.

Mary is survived by her five loving children and their partners who will miss her dearly:  son Tim (Shelly) Benko and their children, Faith Benko and Morgan (Ally) Benko with granddaughter Isabella; daughter Joan (Calvin) Goodman and their children, Robin and Michelle Goodman; daughter Laura (Dave) Johnson and their blended family, Kim (Steve) Burton with grandchildren Carley and Connor, Danielle (Dion) Olson with grandchildren Koby and Kohen, and Danica (Curt) Parish with grandchildren Nixon, Cruz, and Calli; daughter Lynne (Darryl) Lucki and their children, Nicholas Lucki (Avery Douville) and Miranda Lucki (Adam Larocque); and son John (Stephanie) Benko and their children, Jessica (Jordan) Miller with grandchildren Jameson, Everyn, and Grace, and Jenna Benko (Chuck Wernicke) with granddaughter Brinley.  Mary was immensely proud of all her family.

She is also survived by her three sisters Joan (Dan) Clements, Mhora Ogmundson, and Andrea Mellis (Ron Hannah); her sisters-in-law Valerine Thurlow and Theresa Owen; her brothers-in-law Jim Benko and Jack (Lois) Benko; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.  Mary was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Andrew Benko; her parents, Andrew and Erin Mellis; her grandson Matthew John Benko; an infant brother James Andrew Mellis; her mother- and father-in-law John and Frances Benko; and a nephew Bradley Holt-Wilson.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to the many people who have reached out with their messages of condolences.  Mary was deeply loved and she will be deeply missed.

A Family-hosted Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at the Winfield Community Hall, 401 – 6 Street East, Winfield on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.  A Private Family Interment Service will take place at a later date in Kenaston, Saskatchewan, where Mary will be laid to rest beside her husband, Andrew.

If desired, Mary’s wishes were for donations to be made directly to Wounded Warriors Canada, #1160 – 1090 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia  V6E 3V7 (www.woundedwarriors.ca); or to the Winfield and District Historical Society, Box 135, Winfield, Alberta T0C 2X0.  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.    

Cremation Arrangements for the late Mary Erin Jean Benko (née Mellis) entrusted to the care of