Kathleen Lura Benson
February 14, 1946 - October 21, 2012
Obituary
Kathleen Lura Benson
Kathleen was born February 14, 1946 in Seattle, the first-born child of Lewis and Lucille Benson. As a young girl, and throughout her life, she loved dolls, going to school and reading books that gave her access to the world of fairies, King Arthur’s Court, poetry and plays.
She graduated from Highline High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington State College in 1967. She received her master’s degree in fine arts from Ohio University, and taught theatre history, dramatic literature, and directed children’s theatre productions at Southwest Minnesota State College. She returned to the Pacific Northwest a few years later and began a 30-year career in the insurance industry, followed by a second career with the Pierce County Arts Commission until her retirement in 2010. She also volunteered for a children’s literacy program, working one-on-one with young readers.
Kathy had an incredibly sharp mind and memory for detail – you wouldn’t want to go up against her in a game of Trivial Pursuits. She was the family historian and had recently begun doing research on Ancestory.com, where she discovered that we were related to such historic figures as Pocahontas and William the Conqueror.
She was a talented and creative craftsperson. Her love of dolls continued into adulthood, and she not only collected them but made them herself, clothing them in beautiful hand-sewn garments. She was also a gifted quilter, and the family is blessed with the warmth of her beautifully detailed creations. One of her more recent passions was jewelry-making, and she was an expert on gems of every kind. Being the generous spirit she was, her friends and family benefited greatly from her creative talents.
Family was everything to Kathy. As our parents aged, she took care of them with unwavering devotion. She truly enjoyed their company and was constantly finding ways to make their lives easier. She was a loving sister and a doting aunt; even though she didn’t have children of her own, she had quite a maternal streak. And after she retired, her long-time dream came true when she adopted Gretel, a Chihuahua-terrier mix. Kathy and Gretel were a wonderful pair, and spent many happy hours together going for walks, socializing at the dog park and cuddling on the couch.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Lucille, and is survived by her loving family: brothers Randall (Stella), Brian, sister Lauren (Robert), nephew Eric, nieces Lisa, Diana (Rowland), Adrienne and Madeline, great-nieces Julia and Luna, best friend Christine Exley and her beloved dog Gretel.
She leaves a hole in our family that cannot be filled, but holds a place in our hearts that will live forever.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy would be very happy if we continued her tradition of giving holiday gifts to foster children in need:
Treehouse
2100 24th Avenue S., Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98144-4632
Tel: (206) 767-7000
www.treehouseforkids.org
To the family, My Cousins who lived on an Island,
I am very saddened by hearing of Kathy’s passing. I have much admiration for her love of the family history. I had no idea that Kathy loved so many of the same things that I do, reading, creativity, and giving back to her community.
I will miss her at family functions. She Always had a hug for me.
Love you all
The Brooks Family
To Kathy’s family & friends:
As Kathy’s neighbors for 26 years, we were able to enjoy her laughter and kindness several times over the years. Once she retired and brought Gretel into her loving home, we, along with the rest of the neighborhood, were delighted with so many shared conversations and fun times watching Gretel play with and have “conversations over the fence” with our own pups.
Kathy was a wonderful person who always had kind words to say about anything that was discussed.
She and her family are in our thoughts and prayers. Her memory will be with us always.
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Kathy beginning in 1978 at United Pacific/Reliance Insurance Company. Her and I worked together many times until my departure in late 1999. (more than 20 years) Kathy was a brilliant, caring, thoughtful, giving co-worker and friend who was quick witted and kind hearted. She always took an interest in others and many times put their concerns and needs ahead of her own. Although I have lost touch with many friends and co-workers since moving to Eastern Washington ten years ago, I will always be grateful for Kathy and the help and guidance she provided me over the years. I regret her passing and the missed opportunity to tell her personally what a great person she was.
I am saddened to have learned of Kathy’s passing. We worked together at Reliance Insurance Company in Federal Way for a number of years. We shared many laughs. Kathy always supported me when I participated in my 3-Day walks for research and treatment of breast cancer. She was a very kind and thoughtful person. I am blessed to have known her.
Kathy and I worked closely together for years at United Pacific/Reliance. My wife and I considered her to be a great friend over the years and we know she will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Jim Heath.
I’m sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. We attended Highline High School together. My Sympathy to Kathy’s family in her passing.
I also am saddened to learn of Kathy’s passing. I worked with her at Reliance ( me, in the Sacramento, CA office and her in the Federal Way office) and will always remember her kindness and her sharp mind and our conversations about her “dolls”. She was a treasure.
Kathy and I worked together at Reliance Insurance Co. for many years. We traveled together on numerous occasions for office moves and loved it when we could fit in a little site seeing or shopping. Our friendship has continued over the years, she has been a dear friend and I will miss her very much. My sympathy to Kathy’s family.
We are so sad about Kathy’s passing. We are her neighbors and have fond memories of her smile and laugh and pure joy of life. She loved her new family member Gretel who encouraged her to walk in the neighborhood and greet all of us regularly. We will miss her. She was a loving and special soul.
Kathy was my 1st cousin. Though I had only limited interaction with her while growing up, I remember her kind and engaging personality. Our oldest daughter Sara received a beautiful dark haired doll that looked very much like her and quickly became her favorite. After the passing of Kathy’s mother (My fathers sister), We had a great conversation with Kathy at the service. She shared some very interesting history of the family, which really made an inpression on my wife, brother, sister, and me. We really looked forward to future visits and communication. We were obiously very saddened to hear of her passing. I’m sure she is enjoying being reunited with her parents. What a class act she was!!!
Dear Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Kathy. Many times when we popped in to see Lewie and Lucille, we’d have the pleasure of sharing Kathy’s company, her quilts, and her puppy.
Your description of her as a loving daughter, sister and aunt was so true. We so appreciated her as a person.
George and I have picked up some miserable bug and
won’t be able to attend her services but we thank you
so much for including us in her celebration of life.
Your family has been a part of us for over fifty years
and we carry special memories of the whole Benson
family in our hearts and minds.
We send our love, Ruby and George