Sara Benko

Sara JoAnn “Sunny” (Moore) Benko went to her Heavenly rest on April 4, 2015. Born in Pueblo, CO on March 8, 1933, to Harry and Myrtle Moore (Regan), she graduated from Central High School in 1950 and first went to work at CF&I Steel Corporation. There, she met the love of her life, Theodore Benko, whom she married on December 15, 1963. An accomplished singer and musician, Sara earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Southern Colorado State College in 1974, and Master’s Degree from Adams State College. She worked for many years as a music teacher for School Districts 60 and 70 in Pueblo, along with teaching private music students. In 1985, she was hired by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) to teach the children of U.S. service personnel stationed overseas. During Sara’s 17-year career with DODDS, she and her husband were privileged to live and work in the German state of Bavaria, on the island of Bermuda, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and travel to over 22 countries. Upon Sara’s retirement in 2001, the couple settled in the mountains of Bailey, CO, where she continued teaching private music lessons until 2013. Sara is survived by her husband, Theodore Benko; daughter Georgianna Barry of Littleton, CO; son Ted Benko, Jr. of Englewood, CO; and daughter Sheryl Benko of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by sister Barbara Childress of Beulah, CO, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, sister Helen Nixon, and brother Robert Moore, both of Pueblo. Cremation with a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to your favorite animal charity, or to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).