Benita Cunha Schontag

March 25, 1934 - August 23, 2019

Benita Schontag peacefully passed into Heaven at the age of 85 years on the morning of August 23 having been surrounded by family during her illness. She was a devoted and loving wife, sister, cousin, step-mother, auntie, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Born and raised in Oakland to parents Frank Cunha and Frances Campos, Benita graduated from St. Elizabeth’s High School and UC Berkeley. Growing up, she was trained in the arts, music and dance, performing on stage, having been trained in violin by her musician father. After beginning her career at Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. in the Bay Area, Benita met and married her loving husband, Peter, enjoying 42 years of marriage. They traveled extensively, and enjoyed making many happy memories with their family. Her accomplishments included being an award-winning author, patented inventor, jewelry craftswoman, and pastel watercolor painter. While in the Bay Area, she chaired the Wildlife Subcommittee of the Sierra Club’s SF Chapter for 3 yrs, belonging to and serving the Nature Conservancy and local animal shelters. Benita had a truly genuine and benevolent heart, a personal faith and relationship with God, unconditionally loving all around her, which guided her in contributing to enhancing others’ lives. Her grace and beauty was reflected in all that she did, from hospitality to appreciation and respect, finding the good in everything and everyone. She taught and passed on such virtuous attributes, especially to the younger women in her family, for which we are forever endeared and grateful. We will greatly miss her. Benita is preceded in death by her loving husband, Peter, her parents, Frank Cunha and Frances & Angelo Campos, Sr. Benita is survived by her siblings: Janice Harrell (Raymond), Col. Angelo Campos, Jr. (Susan), her step-children: Kim Schontag Walker (Mark), Jill Schontag (Matt); step-grandchildren- Kira and Morgan. Nieces and nephews: Lynda Ives (Brent), Janita Winningham (Robert), Donny Smith, Tammy Anastasio, Tracy Patzer (Donald), Wesley Martin (Samantha), Jennifer Pechan (Jayme), Katie Campos, Kimmie Campos; 18 great-nieces & nephews; 20 great-great nieces & nephews. Celebration of life services will begin at 10 am, this Sat., Aug. 31, at Tracy Memorial Chapel, continuing onto Tracy Cemetery for internment, with a reception to follow.