Sue Benvenuti
1934–2024
Sue Benvenuti — beloved wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024. Sue will be deeply missed by her children Loren Katzman, Christian Benvenuti, and Courtney Benvenuti-Graves; her grandchildren Jake Katzman (Autumn), Sam Katzman, Joe Katzman, Gina Benvenuti, Georgia Graves (Detric), Spencer Graves, and Annie Graves; sister Kay Welch; brother Dick Goodman (Carlotta); sister-in-law Bettie Runnals (Eric); and extended family members.
Sue was born July 6, 1934, in Wichita Falls, Texas, eventually making her way to San Francisco, California, at 18 years of age. She attended one year at San Francisco State University before launching a successful modeling career with the House of Charm modeling agency in San Francisco. Sue appeared in countless magazines and advertisements, and embodied the persona of Safety Sue, offering safety tips for the home that appeared in many magazines. In 1953, Sue entered and won the Miss San Francisco pageant. She subsequently appeared in an episode of the then-popular Jack LaLanne fitness show, and continued her modeling career for the next few years.
One night in 1953, Sue and her mother were having dinner at John’s Rendezvous café in North Beach, when in walked Roy Benvenuti. As Sue always said, she took one look at him and knew she’d met the man she would marry. She was right; from that night on, they dated until eventually marrying in 1955, sharing a life together for the next 58 years.
Sue and Roy built their home in Tiburon in 1963, where they raised their children, made deep friendships, and enjoyed their local community. Sue wrote for the local newspaper, The Ark, creating a popular weekly satire column called “The Funny Thing Is…” She also wrote beautiful short stories, and was an active member of the local theater troupe called The Pelican Players, writing the scripts for the productions and appearing in the plays as well.
Sue was an avid gardener and an incredible cook, and enjoyed hiking the trails around Marin. She had an adventurous spirit — in their retirement, Sue and Roy traveled all over the world, including many trips to Italy and other European countries. Among her favorite adventures were their trips to Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, where she — with her adventurous and brave spirit — went bungee jumping.
Sue lived a full and happy life and was a good friend to all. In remembrance of Sue’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.