Tara Ann Smith Beninati of Bedford, NY passed away peacefully on March 15, 2022 after a brief illness. Tara was the beloved wife of Michael J. Beninati and adoring mother to Alec, CJ, and Gigi Beninati. She is survived by her father, Mr. William P. Smith, her loving sisters Heather Smith and Tiffany Monasterio, as well as her brother Eric Smith. In addition, she is survived by 7 nieces and nephews shared between her sister, Tiffany Monasterio and her beloved sisters-in-law, Andrea Samperi and Lisa Beninati Schafer. She was predeceased by her loving mother, Joan B. Smith in 2013. Tara was born in New York City on August 21st, 1967 and graduated from Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, NY in 1985. She received her bachelor's degree at SUNY Albany and went on to receive her master's degree in Special Education from Hunter College in New York City. She was married to her husband Michael in 1995 and after a short time in the workforce took time off to raise her adoring children. After many years of focusing all her efforts and resources into the rearing of her own growing children she decided to extend this experience to other developing young minds as a teacher at St. Matthew's Preschool in Bedford, NY. Tara will be remembered for her loving and caring nature, her firm but fair parenting and teaching style, as well as her no-nonsense way of looking at the world. She was loyal and protective of the people she cared for. Her openness and humor quickly put people at ease. All those who crossed her path were moved by her big smile, infectious laugh, and overall positive attitude which made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to lungevity.org/donate or egfrcancer.org.