Teodora Abesames-Benesh of East Norriton

Teodora AbesamesBenesh, M.D., passed away peacefully on October 26, 2017. She was 78. Dr. Abesames-Benesh was a longtime resident of East Norriton and a member of the St. Titus Catholic Church. She was a beloved wife, sister, aunt and physician who was devoted to her faith, family, and medicine. She was a true woman of God in her actions and words.

Dr. Abesames-Benesh graduated in 1962 from Far Eastern University School of Medicine in the Philippines. She completed her internship in Elizabeth, New Jersey. At a time when very few women were accepted into surgical training, she was accepted and trained in General Surgery at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she eventually rose to Chief Resident in Surgery.

At the prime of her career, Dr. Abesames-Benesh developed a valvular heart condition and took it upon herself to retire from surgery in consideration for the safety of her patients. She transitioned into family medicine and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. After becoming board-certified, she worked several years at Norristown State Hospital, where she was the Director of the Long Term Care Unit.

Dr. Abesames-Benesh was born on December 7, 1938, to the late Julia (Antonino) Abesames and Gregorio Abesames in Manila, Philippines. She was the beloved wife of Bruce Leonard Benesh, M.D. She is survived by sisters Adriana (Julian) Naga and Julita (Benjamin) Santos and brother Enrique (Estela) Abesames. Although she did not have children of her own, she was like a mother to her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Perla (Felix) Moraleda, and a brother-inlaw, Virgil Raymond Benesh, Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Mass on Friday, November 17th at 11:00am at St. Titus Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations can be made to St. Titus Catholic Church, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Catholic Extension, EWTN, or Project Smile.