MOUNT VISION - Beatrice Bensink Loftus, 80, passed away suddenly on November 30, 2016 at Bassett
Medical Center in Cooperstown.

She was born August 17, 1936 in Corry, PA, the daughter of George and Lucille (Carroll) Bensink.

Bea graduated in 1960 from Mansfield State Teachers College. She proceeded to spend the next 50 plus
years sharing her talents as a music teacher with hundreds of children in the Endicott, Jamestown, Cortland,
Oneonta, Milford, Morris and Laurens school districts. She shared her love of theater and performing with her
students by directing many musicals and countless concerts throughout her tenure. Bea continued to share
her teaching skills with private vocal and piano students. Bea loved music and children, and more than
successfully made a lifetime career of these passions. Bea's special gifts were not limited to musical
endeavors as she furthered her commitment to public school education as a long-time member of the Laurens
Central School Board of Education.

Bea was a devout Christian and also shared her talents with congregations in each of the towns in which she
lived. Her final contributions being made as the Music Director and Council Member at the Elm Park United
Methodist Church in Oneonta.

Additionally she spent many summers working at the Fly Creek Cider Mill, where she thoroughly enjoyed being
the "bartender".

Of Bea's many passions, engaging people - listening, learning and sharing - with anyone, anytime, anyplace
became a hallmark of her personality and daily activity. She always came away with new friends and new
perspectives.

Bea loved art in all its many mediums, and traveled with her friends extensively throughout the U.S. and
Europe. Her home was an eclectic collection of art that reflected her vast array of interests and encounters
during the journeys she ventured on. Bea loved to engage an artist and learn their story before she bought
their wares.

Bea's greatest passion; however, was her family. Rarely could one escape a conversation with her without a
story of her grandson Jonah's newest interests or collections, her granddaughter Ginger's latest gymnastic feat
or an update on the life and times of her daughters - Kim, Kellisue and Kindra. These stories grew in the last
few years to include the escapades of Paddy, her beloved cockatiel.

Bea is survived by her daughters and their families - Kindra, Jesse, Jordyn, Loryne and Mya Knapp (West
Laurens); Kellisue, Jeffrey, Jonah and Ginger Friedman (North Hampton, NH); Kim Loftus and Tim Dobler
(Mount Vision); her brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Jenny Bensink and their family; her former husband
and dear friend, William Loftus and his wife, Rene (Fredonia). She is also survived by so many wonderful
friends that they are too numerous to list, but whose names will forever be inscribed on the hearts of her family
who are grateful for all that each person added to the quality of Bea's life.

Grateful wishes are also extended to each person from the Emergency Room to the ICU at Bassett Medical
Center who showered Bea and her family with the gift of their skills, compassion and grace.

Calling hours will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono
Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta.

The funeral service will be held at 12 Noon on Monday, December 5, 2016 at the Elm Park United Methodist
Church, 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, with the Rev. Donna Martin officiating.

Interment will follow at the Mount Vision Cemetery.

A celebration of Bea's life will be held at Dobler's Brewery and Tavern following the interment.  All are welcome.

Donations may be sent in loving memory of Bea to the Beatrice Loftus Scholarship Fund, c/o Bank of
Cooperstown, 34 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com