Yass Benis Obituary (1963 - 2023)

YASS AMIR-EBRAHIMI BENIS, of Powell, born in Tehran, Iran, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1979. Yass is survived by her loving children, Arianna Benis and Isaac Cyrus Benis; sister, Ladan Amir-Ebrahimi; brothers Farshid Amir-Ebrahimi and Babak Amir-Ebrahimi; stepchildren, Cathy Mendel, Bruce Benis and Caryn (Naftali) Yair; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and pets who love her deeply and will miss her always. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stuart A. Benis; mother, Nana Afkham-Ebrahimi; and father, Majid Amir-Ebrahimi; in-laws, I.C. “Cy” and Frances T. Benis; brother, Jamshid Amir-Ebrahimi; and, sister-in-law, Alice Benis Slonim. Yass was an advocate for people in need, both as an attorney and previously as a teacher. A bright, guiding light she championed waves of local immigrants as a counselor in the Columbus area and through her prior service as Director of the ESOL program at the Columbus JCC. Always a lifelong learner, Yass graduated from Fresno State University and The Ohio State University with degrees in computer science and creative writing. She achieved a MBA from Phoenix University and a J.D. from Capital University Law School. Yass was a member of Congregation Tifereth Israel. Her impact and her passions reached wide and far; there was always room for more. Graveside will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, August 16 at New Tifereth Israel Cemetery, 2565 Performance Way, Columbus. Donations in her memory may be made to I.C. and Frances Benis Education Endowment Fund at Congregation Tifereth Israel (www.tiferethisrael.org)