Christin Marie Occhipinti Benda, of Lexington, loving wife and mother, passed away Saturday January 28, 2017 at home. Born December 22, 1986 in Teaneck, NJ to Peter and Mary Occhipinti, the family later moved to Lexington where she attended school and graduated from Lexington High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from both The College of Charleston and The Citadel Graduate College where she received her Master of Education in Counselor Education in 2011. Christin married Alan, her high school sweetheart immediately after they graduated college and began their life’s journey together. Christin touched many lives through her work as an advocate for children through school counseling and elementary education. She was a school counselor in Lancaster, SC and recently as a teacher at Arrows Academy in Lexington. Christin devoted herself with utter joy to the raising and care of their son after his birth. They moved to Greensboro, NC for Alan’s studies at Elon and were so joyful to make their permanent home in Lexington when Alan began his PA position at Palmetto Richland. Christin was a faithful servant of the Lord. She trusted God with all of her hardships and found peace in his loving Grace. She had a contagious laugh and eternal optimism. Her passion and motivation for each goal she set forth were admired by all. Christin was gifted with the passion of helping children be successful…her life’s work. Christin was an artist molding and shaping the lives of all those that she came in contact with. Most importantly, Christin loved her soul mate and her precious son more than words can describe…they were her world…her fulfillment in life. We take comfort in the fact that Christin is with her savior and though she is gone, the impact that she had on us all will live forever. She was predeceased by her father, Peter of Lexington and her maternal grandmother, Audrey Occhipinti of Teaneck, NJ. She is survived by her loving husband, G. Alan Benda, Jr.; their son, Jacob Alan Benda; mother, Mary Occhipinti; brother, Michael Occhipinti; grandmother, Jean Hendrix of Lexington, and Alan’s family, Gary, Dianne and Abby Benda of Chapin and Charleston. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Calvary Chapel, 1156 Barr Road, Lexington. The family asks that in lieu of flowers; please make all donations and memorials to Jacob’s college fund through the following link: https://www.youcaring.com/alanbenda-747742 Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net.
Posted in: The State
Posted on: 2017-02-01
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=christin-occhipinti-benda&pid=183875310&fhid=3935#sthash.FRXby0Td.dpuf