CAROL BENIK (nee Kowalski), age 90,  passed away on March 15, 2021 in San Marcos, CA.  She is survived by her three children Michael (Marla), Jeffrey (Reiko), Brenda and six grandchildren, Sankara, Nicholas, Elise, Kevin, Sean and Maya. She was preceded in death by three months by her husband Paul. Carol was born to Stanley and Caroline Kowalski on August 2, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. Though an only child, she enjoyed a full family life growing up amongst many aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in a close knit community on Cleveland's west side. After graduating from St. Joseph Academy in 1948, she began working for the Cleveland Public Library at its main branch.  A chance meeting with Paul Benik in 1950 just before he shipped out to Navy boot camp led to a long distance courtship lasting four years while Paul served on a Navy ship during the Korean War.  They were married in 1954 and raised their family in Cleveland.  While raising the children and managing the household, Carol still found time for her own pursuits.  She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, ceramics, cake decorating, Polish language class, personal computers in the early 80s, theater productions and staying close with her extended family. After Paul retired in 1985 they spent one last winter in Ohio before heading to California in 1986 where she lived the last 35 years. For nine of those years, she and Paul took loving care of her mother after she moved in with them in 1993. Carol expanded her interests in California taking up line dancing, water exercise, miniatures, painting and trips to nearby casinos.  Always finding fun in words, she enjoyed the daily newspaper crossword puzzle and word jumble. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble with friends. Carol and Paul travelled often in their retirement years and a highlight was a trip to Europe which included Poland and the Slovak Republic as she explored her ancestral roots. She missed her children and grandchildren after moving to California but they would visit often and she was heartened later as more of them relocated to California and were nearer to her. Carol often said that she and Paul had a wonderful life together. Now they're re-united in heaven and probably dancing a polka to celebrate!  Funeral Mass Monday, March 29, Blessed Trinity Church (14040 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135) at 11 A.M. where social distancing will be observed and facemasks required.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of CLEVELAND, 4420 ROCKY RIVER DR. AT PURITAS, MONDAY, MARCH 29, where social distancing will be observed and facemasks required 9-10:30 A.M.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Chambers Funeral Homes Facebook page (link to our Facebook page below):

https://www.facebook.com/Chambers-Funeral-Homes-1560347080741913