Margaret Benn, 97, departed us on May 14, 2008, after a brief hospitalization at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. Margaret was born Aug. 8, 1914, in Florida, the third of seven children born to farming parents, Samuel and Beatrice Rogers. Being an excellent academic student in high school, she aspired to continue her education in college, but her plans took a dramatic turn when she met a handsome musician, whom she married and together had two children.
Margaret traveled as a Navy wife from Florida to Texas to Washington (Oak Harbor), raising her children and working from time to time in the clothing industry. Her husband, John Ivey, died in 1966, and later she moved to Olympia, where she met and married Donald Benn in 1971. In 1983 she and her husband moved to Sun Vista Circle in Clinton, where she loved her home and her neighbors. It was such a comfort to her to live in the community of her beloved son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Prior to Don’s death in 1999, they traveled extensively to places far and near. In 2005, as her medical needs and demands of managing her household increased, she decided to sell her home and moved to Lakewood, Wash., to live her last years with her daughter and son-in-law. Gosh! How we do miss you, Mom!
She attended the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Langley, and the Bayview Senior Center became the center of her life and social activities. Thank you to Margaret’s wonderful friends at the senior center and the church.
When we wanted to eat the best fried chicken in the country, we went to Margaret’s home (known as Mom or Grandma to us). In addition to cooking delicious southern meals, another passion was reading. When she was with a person or two (as she tended to become the silent observer in large groups), she would relate the plot of a current book, as if she had recorded every detail in her “beautiful brain.” Her memory and intellectual abilities never faltered throughout her twilight years. If we disagreed with Mom on a fact here and there, we learned that we may as well submit, because we would soon learn that she was correct. She also loved our local sports: the Mariners, the Seahawks, and the Sonics and immensely enjoyed her stimulating sports bantering with her children and grandchildren. Additionally, she always strived to look her very best in her appearance with her dress, her hair, and her make-up. Yes, this is our Mom and Grandma! We will sorely miss her and what she meant to each one of us individually.
Margaret is survived by her son, James Mock, and his wife, Patricia; her daughters, Ramona Becker and husband, Norman, and Marene Kenny and husband, Steven; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, a number of nephews and grandnephews; nieces and grandnieces; her best friend, Toddy Workman and her family, as well as dear friends on the island and many friends scattered throughout the states.
Please join her family in a celebration of this special person’s life at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 14, at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 503 Cascade St., Langley. It is Margaret’s wish that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Bayview Senior Center, 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260. Much appreciation from her family to each and every one of you who contributed to the happiness and well-being of our Mom’s (Grandma’s) life.
