Elizabeth Clare Bentzley, 83, of Palm Coast, FL passed away unexpectedly September 1, 2018.

Wife, Mother, Sister, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Aunt, cousin, friend and our example of what life can be when you offer love, compassion, and service to others.

She was a graduate of Saint Joseph's University, Villanova University, and the Family Institute of Philadelphia.

She began her career of service educating students in New Jersey parochial schools as a Sister of Mercy for several years until God called her down a different path where she met her husband, Lee.  Together they built a family of boys to ensure she would have an exciting life and a guaranteed path to heaven. Surrounded by a family of men, she always struck the right balance of being firm, fair, and caring.

Clare had a special talent for counseling and worked at various points during her life as a drug & alcohol counselor for the Navy, a private practice family therapist, a grief counselor for hospices and an individual therapist at Catholic Social Services.  Within her network of family, friends, and clients she was well known as always being there to listen, counsel, encourage and act as the best sounding board one could desire.

An active member of the church, she faithfully served as a musician, choir member, religious education instructor, eucharistic minister and a member of the secular Franciscan Order.  She visited the sick and shut-ins providing hope to those most in need.

Clare was predeceased by her sons Francis and Robert and by her brother Edward.  She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lee, and their sons James and David, her daughters-in-law Amberly, Son-Im and Angela, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  A celebration of her life and Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, September 8 at 1 PM at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 4600 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32164 where family and friends may visit from noon to 1 PM in the memorial room of the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Relief Services or Flagler Volunteer Services in Clare's name would be appreciated.