Second-grade teacher Mary Bencini works with student Angie Crowe on Crowe's Valentine's Day letter in 2006 at Western Avenue Elementary School in Geneva.

Rick West | Staff Photographer

Mary Bencini of Geneva represented the Geneva Academic Foundation when it won the 2011 Geneva Giving Tree contest at the Geneva History Center. The former schoolteacher was involved in several causes around town, including the foundation, the history center, the Cultural Arts Commission and the Strategic Plan Advisory Commission.

Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

The city of Geneva flag flies at half-staff at city hall this week in honor of Mary Bencini, who died Saturday. Bencini was a 30-year teacher in town and very active in retirement with the city, schools and cultural arts. The flag was also at half-staff to honor the late alderman John VanThournout, who died April 6.

Rick West | Staff Photographer