FLEMINGTON, N.J. — Born and raised in Flemington, Gina Gaye Benjamin (March 22, 1959–February 4, 2016) was a product of Raritan Township schools and a graduate of Hunterdon Central High School where she developed a reputation as a free spirit. She got along with and loved everyone.
Fearless and fiercely independent, she lived life on her own terms. Regardless of one’s station in life, she would greet everyone with open arms. As a result, her list of lifelong friends remains almost endless. She graduated with honors from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., and went on to build a successful business, Salt Point Restorations, an antiques restoration and retail firm, with her husband David Kuhnle.
After a brief, intense battle with cancer, she died at the age of 56. Along with her loving husband, she is survived by her sister and closest friend in the world, Pam; her parents Isabel and Sid Benjamin; her brother Bobby and his wife Mary (Bill) Benjamin, her nephews Shawn (her godson) and Terence; and her niece, Annie Benjamin. Per Gina’s request, a quiet, private ceremony was to be held in Salt Point, N.Y., where she and David built a life together.
Gina was an active, passionate antiques and collectibles promoter and dealer. She sold at endless yard sales and created and operated two distinctly different e-Bay sites.
She especially enjoyed selling antiques and collectibles at Stormville Flea Market, and the Elephant’s Trunk flea market in Connecticut.
She maintained two antiques shop locations: the Hyde Park Antiques Center and the Village Antiques Center, Hyde Park, N.Y. Gina worked at Hyde Park Country Auctions for many years doing administrative work.
Her passions included her complete devotion to her cats, love of her vast gardens, and she was an accomplished chef in French and Italian cuisine.
Gina loved the challenge of any large production and promotion, whether a wedding for friends or event planning for the Hudson Valley radio station WHUD; her attention to detail was extraordinary. In addition, Gina was a true humanitarian as her work at God’s Love, We Deliver shows.
Donations in Gina’s name can be made to God’s Love, We Deliver, 166 Avenue of the Americas, New York City NY 10013, where she served as a pioneer delivering meals to homebound individuals stricken with AIDS and other serious illnesses.
