Apr 27, 2006 2 min read

Patricia A. Benford, 78, of Connellsville, Pa., died Wednesday, April 26, 2006, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. She was born March 25, 1928, in Connellsville, Pa., a daughter of the late Henry A. and Bessie Leichliter DuShaw.

Mrs. Benford was a graduate of Connellsville High School, Class of 1946 and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Class of 1950. She also attended the University of Pittsburgh, Trinity University in San Antonio Texas on a Frick Scholarship and she also received credits at the University of Texas at Nacogdoches. She was a retired English teacher from the Mount Pleasant Area School District. She also taught in the Connellsville Area School District, the Gressnsburg-Salem Schools in Allegheny County and she began her teaching career in the Punxsutawney School District.

She was a member of the PSEA, the NEA, the Fayette County Teachers Association and the Pleasant Valley Country Club. She was also a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Connellsville.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. James M. Benford; two daughters: Stephanie Ann Benford of Phoenix, Ariz. and Lisa Petzel and her husband, Robert of Monroeville; one granddaughter, Natalia Petzel; two brothers: Robert DuShaw and his wife, Martha of Clairmont, Fla. and James DuShaw and his wife, Joyce of Bradford, Pa., many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Friday in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 East Green Street, Connellsville, Pa., where funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m., with Rev. Herb Dubler officiating.

Interment will follow in the Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville, Pa., to sign the guest registry please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com