Elaine Florence (Benanti) Dominy de Werff

Elaine Florence Benanti Dominy de Werff, aged 90, passed away September 9, 2024.

Elaine was born June 25, 1934, in New York, NY, to the late Charles Francis Benanti and Florence Phyllis Ohl Benanti. She attended Hofstra University and later graduated from Adelphi University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and psychology. Elaine later worked at multiple senior centers and psychiatric day programs while living in New York. After moving to North Carolina in 1986, she worked at a florist as well as the fine jewelry department at Belk in Hendersonville, NC. Elaine was a very active church member in all the places where she lived, including Hempstead Methodist Church, Community Church of Syosset, and Oyster Bay Presbyterian Church (all of Long Island) as well as Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville and New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville. She served her churches in multiple capacities over many decades. She was also deeply involved in garden club activities during her New York years, including serving as a chapter president. Elaine in addition to participating in garden clubs grew her own flower and vegetable garden for many years. She also enjoyed watercolor painting and pottery, played the piano, played tennis and was a consummate hostess and wonderful cook.

Elaine is preceded in passing by her first husband and the father of her children, John Dominy; second husband, Ralph de Werff; sister, Irene Benanti; cousins, Marlene Rogers and Teresa Hyde; niece, Barbara Oeffner; and nephew Michael Abbondola.

Elaine is survived by her daughters, Faith (Matthew Neiburger) Dominy of Asheville, NC, and Lydia (Joseph Echeverri) Burns of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Aidan Burns, Madeleine Burns, and Emma Burns all of Portland, OR; nieces, Marie (James) Sinclair, Joanne (Vito) Sottile Evko, and Carol Lubetkin all of Long Island, NY; cousin/ goddaughter, Geraldine Daversa of Central Islip, NY; and cousins, William (Liz) Heaney, Robert Heaney, Raymond (Rita) Heaney, Russell (Albina) Daversa, Francis Daversa, John (Louise) Benanti and Roberta (Peter) Mackid.

A private ceremony will be held at Givens Estates. There will be no public services as requested by Elaine.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Four Seasons Hospice in Hendersonville, NC, at www.fourseasonscare.org or The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

The family would like to thank Four Seasons Hospice for their excellent care of Elaine over the past several years, with a special thanks to her wonderful hospice nurse, Tim Barrett. Thanks also go to Givens Estates, particularly the staff at Givens Health Center. Their fine care of Elaine is much appreciated.

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