en English
en Englishes Spanishpt Portuguesear Arabicht Haitian Creolezh-TW Chinese (Traditional)
Search

Advocate

Your Local Online News Source for Over 3 Decades

Marcia H. Benson

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Of Woburn. Passed away peacefully on Saturday September 30, 2023 at Encompass Rehabilitation after a long illness at the age of 75. She was born September 3, 1948 in Norway, Maine, the youngest daughter of Maurice and Aili (McKeen) Benson.

Growing up on the Benson family farm in the village of West Paris, her childhood was filled with pets and riding horses. Having 2 older sisters, Marcia was the mascot for their majorette and cheerleading teams for West Paris Schools, and played the saxophone in the school orchestra and band. She could often be seen riding along in the family’s business’s trucks, Benson’s Coal and Oil, or Woodlands, with her father, Maurice Benson. After graduation from West Paris High School, class of 1966, she attended Fisher Junior College, and was employed in Portland, Maine. In 1980 she obtained a Bachelor of Science from Medical College of Georgia, and worked in medical records departments for various medical facilities, making her home in Saugus, Massachusetts for over 30 years.

Marcia’s life’s passion was rescuing and fostering cats and dogs. She volunteered for several animal rescue organizations, Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Inc., Sweet Paws Rescue, and Basset Hound Rescue. Following retirement, Marcia walked dogs and provided pet sitting for many people. Marcia and her mother, Aili Benson, made many trips to Boothbay Harbor and Lubec, Maine, to visit family friend Ellen Kelly. She traveled to England, Greece, China and Finland. She was an avid reader, loved the Beatles, saw several Rolling Stones concerts, enjoyed Boston events, the North End, and was a Johnny Carson fan. Marcia grew colorful zinnias to brighten her yard and neighborhood.

Marcia was instrumental in the donation of land in West Paris from the Benson Family to the Western Foothills Land Trust for conservation and public benefit to be held forever as undeveloped, natural and protected property.

Marcia was known as the “fun aunt” to her nieces and nephews, Tamara (Morey) Mitton (Rick); Kim (Strout) Thurston; Loring Strout Jr.; Jeffrey Morey; and Tobin Morey (Brenda). She loved and enjoyed her 10 great nieces, and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her 3 dogs, Bennie, Scooby and Lars, she is survived by sisters, Nancy (Benson) McKellick, (Alton) of South Paris, Maine, Maurise Benson of Bloomfield, CT; cousins, Natalie (Polvinen) Parsons, Norway, Maine and Terry (Poland) Merrill, West Paris, and numerous other cousins. She was predeceased by her parents.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Wayside Cemetery in West Paris. Following the service, please join the family in a celebration of life held at the Finnish-American Heritage Center located at Park Street, West Paris.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in Marcia’s memory to the Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Inc. of Wakefield, MA. or National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Contact Advocate Newspapers