Jill Kathleen Marie Benza

The servant of God Jill K Benza fell asleep in the Lord on August 9, 2025. Jill was born in 1944 in Waukegan, Illinois and raised in Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her husband John and is survived by their children: John (Danyelle), Jeffrey (Holly), and Jill Natasha; Grandchildren Savannah, Matthew, Jonas, Jackson and Nico; Brother-in-law Michael (Sarah) and Sister-in-law Sonja (Tim); and many nieces and nephews.

A resident of Mesa since 1981, Jill proudly worked for Mesa Public Schools for 26 years in a career that saw her earn a college degree and rise in the ranks from lunch room employee to assistant superintendent. Jill’s career is a testament to the power of education to change lives. For decades Jill actively served her community through the United Food Bank, city committees, and the Rotary. Jill’s service and dedication to others was recognized when she was the Mesa Woman of the Year in 2015. Jill was a founding and active member of her church, St. Ignatius Eastern Orthodox Church, serving on the council, in the ladies group, and as baker extraordinaire.

The family asks friends to join us at St. Ignatius Church 2402 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa, for a visitation on Wednesday, August 13 from 5:00 to 6:30 with Trisagion Prayers at 6:30. A meal of mercy will be served immediately following the prayer service as we celebrate a life well lived. The funeral service will be held at the church on August 14, 2025 at 8:00 am with interment immediately following at the City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United Food Bank in Mesa or to the St. Ignatius Church Building Fund in Jill’s memory - https://saintig.org/giving.