A shining star dimmed on the night of Friday, August 30th, as the beautiful soul of Emma Benn Neff set sail on her next exciting journey. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Emma grew up in very humble surroundings in Ashaway, RI. She was born on July 1st, 1934, to Geraldine Lydia Campbell Philips Benn and Erastus Hewlett Benn, II in Watch Hill, RI. Her mother died when she was 2 years old. Her father raised her and her two older brothers with pure love and righteousness. When her brothers left to serve in World War II in Europe, and her father was too ill to take care of her, she was cared for by Arthur and Mabel Maynard of Watch Hill, RI.

During the 1940’s and 50’s she was active in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. In later years she served as a Worthy Grand Matron.

She loved music. She played the baritone trumpet in the Westerly High School band. She was a member of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus for over 25 years and the Oratorio Society of New York. She has performed in concert halls, cathedrals, and various venues around the world, including Carnegie and Radio City Music Halls, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Canterbury and Salisbury Cathedrals in England and under the Acropolis in Athens. And she was part of the very last ensemble allowed to perform at the ancient Greek ruins of Delphi.

While married to Richard “Dick” Neff, they had the great fortune of traveling the world. Many, and perhaps the most favorite, of their trips were on freighters. They had ventured several times through the Panama Canal, once completely around South America, stopping at every country in South America. They crossed the Atlantic to the southern tip of Africa and up the west African coast, through the Mediterranean Sea and stopped in every European country that touched the Atlantic Ocean. They traveled to many Caribbean Islands and Central American countries, delivering sporting equipment to underprivileged children. They traveled to Machu Picchu in a non-pressurized airplane, climbed the Rock of Gibraltar, danced in the streets of Rio during Carnival, traveled by jeep on an African Safari, stood with Christ the Redeemer in Rio. During one trip, Emma enjoyed tea every with afternoon with Margaret Kelly (mother of Princess Grace of Monaco). While on the SS United States (the largest cruise ship built in the United States) Emma was chosen to be the Queen and officiated during their line-crossing ceremony over the Equator.

In 1974, Emma enrolled in college to obtain her nursing degree. She graduated top of her class with honors. She started her nursing career at Mary Elizabeth (now Apple Rehab in Mystic) and moved on to Mystic Manor (now Mystic Healthcare). She also served as a visiting nurse, a school nurse for Fitch Middle and Sacred Heart in Groton, and at the women’s correctional facility in Niantic.

Emma was a lifelong member of the Mystic Seaport, the Mystic Aquarium and Sturbridge Village. She loved the Union Baptist Church in Mystic where, during her early adult life, she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She participated in musical programs with the Coast Guard Cadet Musical Activities and enjoyed attending lectures at the US Coast Guard Customs House in New London.

Emma will be greatly missed by her loving family. Her children are Richard A. Neff and wife Karen, Geri Neff Hespeler and husband Richard, David L. Neff, and Wayne P. Neff and wife Gina. She also leaves behind Gail Neff, mother of Amy (Emma’s first grandchild who passed in 1994). Emma helped to raise her second granddaughter, Genvieve-Ashley Spitale, who she had an unbreakable bond with. Genvieve-Ashley blessed Emma with two great granddaughters, Grace Emma and Harper Emilia Allard. Her third and fourth granddaughters are Kristin and Rachel and infant grandson, Wayne, all children of Wayne Neff. Emma was also blessed to have an extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren through Rich Hespeler, who are Katie Quinlan and her husband, Jason, and their three daughters, Peyton, Pyper and Paisley; Susan Isif and her husband, Robbie, and their daughter, Marley; and Richard’s sons, Jay and Lucas Hespeler.

Emma’s family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to all those who cared for her and stayed in touch with her through her later years. This includes the tremendous staff at Mystic Healthcare, Cindy Charette of Beacon Hospice, and Reverend Dr. Lonnie Brown and her wonderful family from the Union Baptist Church in Mystic, Connecticut.

A memorial service will be held at the Union Baptist Church in Mystic on Saturday, September 14th at 11:00am, followed by a social at the church.