Shirley C. Benson, 80, of 201 Arlington Ave., died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday (March 14, 2009) in her home following a brief illness.
A lifelong area resident she was born July 15, 1928, in Jamestown a daughter of the late Walter S. and Irene Mullard Christopherson. She was a 1946 graduate of Jamestown High School and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother whose family was her pride and joy. She loved to travel with her husband and family and was also an avid reader.
Surviving is her husband of 59 years, Douglas Benson, whom she married Sept. 10, 1949; three daughters, Deborah (Deke) Kathman, Kerrin (the late Jeffrey) Bloomquist, both of Jamestown, and Cynthia (Craig) Neelen of Pitts-burgh, Pa.; nine grandchildren, Jason (Kristy) Kathman; Jonathan Kathman; Abigail Bloomquist; and Emma Bloomquist all of Jamestown; Jacob (Sarahmona) Kathman of Oxford, Miss.; Joseph Kathman of Orlando, Fla.; Michael Friedman of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Joel Friedman of Chicago, Ill.; David Friedman of Pittsburgh, Pa.; a step grandson, Matthew (Megan) Neelen of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two great-grandchildren, Kate Kathman of Jamestown and Isaac Kathman of Oxford, Miss.; a step great-grandchild, Zoe Neelen of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and a sister, Mary (Frank) O'Connor of Lakewood, N.Y.
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Shirley C. Benson
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Associate Rector, will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The family suggests that memorials be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701.
