Katherine Marie Kuehnert "Kathy"

Katherine Marie Kuehnert Benedito (“Kathy”), of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away peacefully on the night of June 18, 2026. She was 66 years young.

Born in Livonia, Michigan, on February 14, 1960, to Kathleen (Stevens) and Allen Schroeder, Kathy was the youngest of four children. She attended Churchill High School in Livonia and was the proud mother of three daughters and one son. In 1999, she moved to Florida, where she embraced the sunshine and warm weather she loved. In 2007, she met the love of her life, Jorge Benedito, and they were married in 2016. Together they shared a home filled with love, along with their beloved dog, Hannah, and cat, Harmon.

Kathy had a deep love for the natural world. She spent several years living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a place that forever held her heart. She always kept houseplants, tended gardens wherever she lived, and found joy in helping things grow. When she moved to Florida, she delighted in the year-round sunshine that allowed her gardens to flourish.

An avid rock collector, Kathy was always on the lookout for unique treasures, heart-shaped stones, Petoskey stones, agates, and any rock with a story to tell. She was happiest when sharing her discoveries with family and friends. She introduced her children and grandchildren to the beauty of Lake Superior, the wonder of a rocky shoreline, and the excitement of finding something special hidden among the stones.

Kathy found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was known for her homemade monster cookies, her love of gardening, and her ability to make ordinary moments memorable. Whether she was exploring the shores of Lake Superior, gathering family around a meal, watching the UP 200, or simply spending time with those she loved, she created memories that will be cherished for generations.

Over the past several years, Kathy faced significant health challenges with remarkable courage and determination. Despite countless hospitalizations, surgeries, and setbacks, she met each obstacle with resilience and an unwavering will to keep going. Her strength, grit, and perseverance inspired everyone who knew and loved her.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Jorge Benedito; her daughters, Lora Bruner (Bob) of Royal Oak, Michigan, Becca Scheiblauer (Nick) of Santa Cruz, California, and Kat Kuehnert (Scott) of Birmingham, Michigan; her son, Nathan Kuehnert; and her beloved grandchildren: Keegan, Dalton, Caden, Morgan, Stella, Pippa, Ellie, Calvin, and Lemon. She is also survived by her siblings, Cindy Tebor (Larry) of Livonia, Michigan, David Schroeder (Gala) of Novi, Michigan, and Ken Schroeder (Linda) of Canton, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held on the shores of Lake Superior in October.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Kathy’s memory are encouraged to spend time outdoors, plant something beautiful, search a rocky shoreline for hidden treasures, and share those moments with the people they love.