Obituary of Marlene Barbara Bencze

Marlene B. Bencze, age 91, of Fairfield, beloved wife of Antal Bencze, peacefully entered into eternal life at 11:11 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2024, with her loving family by her side.

Born in New York, NY to the late Aaron and Dorothy Kuhn Saphier, Marlene was a child of the Great Depression of the 1930's and came of age right after World War II. Throughout her life and in the hour of her death, Marlene exemplified bravery, grace, and dignity. She grew up alongside her parents, her older sister, Colette, and their dog, Sonny, in New York. The Saphier family later moved to Hartsdale, NY, where Marlene and Colette were inseparable and were affectionately called the "Bobbsey Twins".

After graduating from Bronxville High School in Bronxville, NY, Marlene received her Associate's Degree from Finch Junior College, her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Mt. Holyoke, and her Master's Degree from Columbia University, where she was named to Phi Beta Kappa. She was then recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency, working in Washington, DC and abroad. Marlene enjoyed traveling with her sister and best friend, Colette, skiing, eating, and laughing their way through Europe.

It was in Germany that Marlene met her husband, Antal (Tony), and they became married and moved to Miami, FL, where they began their family by raising their daughter, Ilona, and their son, Tony. They eventually moved to Fairfield, CT, where they grew their family with the addition of their youngest daughter, Christina (Tina). The family skied, played tennis, and always spent time as a family, always surrounded by their dogs, Solo, Roger, Clayton, and Sonoma. Marlene and Tony recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on February 17, 2024. The Bencze family had a beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and kind soul in their mother and wife, Marlene. We will all miss her until we meet again one day in Heaven.

Marlene's memory will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Antal (Tony) Bencze, of Fairfield; her children, Ilona Zimmer, and her husband, Mark, of Redding, Anthony (Tony) Bencze, and his wife, Lisa, of Westchester, OH, and Christina (Tina) Bencze, of Westport; grandchildren, Keaton, Melanie, David, and Ben; and her nephew, Jeffrey Spaulding, and his wife, Kristian Leno, and their 11 children. In addition to her parents, Aaron and Dorothy Saphier, Marlene was predeceased by her sister, Colette Saphier Spaulding, and her husband, Don; a nephew, Scott Spaulding; and her cousin, Gene Kuhn.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. in the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. A prayer service will take place at 2:30 p.m. All other services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the JDRF: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by visiting, https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=174008905&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T&2374.donation=form1

For travel directions or to sign her online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com