Madelyn Lucille Benson
October 6, 1922 - August 31, 2012
Obituary
Madelyn Lucille Benson, 89, slipped peacefully away on a blue moon August 31, 2012. She was born October 6, 1922 to John and Ora Green in Wilbur, WA. She grew up on the family wheat farm during the Depression, and at age 16, was the youngest graduate of Colville High School. She attended Eastern Washington State College for three years, until the start of WWII, when she moved to Seattle and began working at Boeing, building planes for the military. She was the first female inspection supervisor at Boeing, and it was here that she met Lewis Benson. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on April 8, 1944, and lived in the Seattle area for many years, raising their four children.
They moved from Normandy Park to Vashon Island in the late 1960s and lived there for over 30 years. They were members of the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club, where they enjoyed golfing and made many lifelong friends. Lucille was an active board member at the club, and volunteered weekly at Granny’s Attic, supporting local healthcare services. In 2001 she and Lewis moved to Huntington Park in Des Moines, where they spent their final years together.
Lucille had a keen business mind and worked as a bookkeeper throughout much of her adult life. She and Lewis operated a successful real estate appraisal business until their retirement. But her greatest sense of accomplishment came from raising their four children – she was active in the PTA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire and any other activities her kids were involved in. And when their grandchildren came along, she relished every moment spent with them – each grandchild held a special place in her heart, and she had a gift for playing wonderful, imaginative games with them.
Lucille was preceded in death by Lewis, her loving husband of 65 years, who passed away in 2009. She is survived by her children Kathleen, Randall (Stella), Brian and Lauren (Robert), her grandchildren Lisa, Diana (Rowland), Eric, Adrienne and Madeline, and her great-grandchildren Julia and Luna Lucille. She is also survived by many honorary and extended relatives, including Christine Exley, and the entire Sachs Family.
She was a natural story-teller, an empathetic listener and a woman of exceptional wit and wisdom. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and will remain the guiding light of her loving family.
A memorial service will be held at the Huntington Park Clubhouse, 1000 S. 248th St., Des Moines, on Sunday, Sep 16 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Special Olympics Washington, 1809 7th Avenue, Suite 1509, Seattle, WA 98101 or http://www.specialolympicswashington.org/donate/memorial_donation
Great Obituary for a Great Lady. I always loved to hear her stories and insights. Aunt Lucille and Uncle Lewey fit together like a hand and a glove, and were always fun and interesting to be around. Their children and grandchildren were always a great source of pride. They are back together again. Forever!!!
Roger
I love you Grandma and will miss you. I’m glad I got to see you and spend time with you before you said goodbye. Say hi to Poppy for me and give him a hug. Love you. Lisa and Julia Walker
Wow, Auntie Lucille, You were the last of a very special generation. Being my Grandmothers sister you were the only Great Aunt I’ve had in my life, I will miss you so much.
I have so many special memories of you, Uncle Lewie and my cousins who “lived on an island”. From walking to the beach from your first house on Vashon to looking forward to seeing everyone on each and every Christmas Eve, getting your great hugs and hearing your many stories..
I will always cherish the photos of the elder generation that you passed on to Sue and I. I love that you saw that our family history was important and was always happy to pass information along
I love you and will miss you Aunt Lucille, Please hug my Daddy for me.
Auntie Lucille, I am going to miss you so much. You were so very much like Grandma Thelma, your sister, it was almost like still having her here. But you, in your own right, were a most special person.You went through so much personal trauma in your life, yet I never, ever heard a negative remark, or complaint. You were always so upbeat and had a never ending smile. Heaven is getting one more very special angel.