Mrs. Benson, 82, of Jackson, died Sept. 23, 2009, at the Barbara E. Cheung Memorial Hospice – Roosevelt Care Center, Edison. Born in Queens, N.Y., she was raised in Manhattan and lived in several places around the world while she and her Air Force husband raised their children. In 1964 they settled in Staten Island, N.Y., where she worked as an aide for New Dorp High School for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Her husband of 32 years, Patrick J. Benson, died in 1994; a brother, Frank Carr, died in 1997; and her companion, Tom Sirignano, died in February. Surviving are her children, Patrick, Michael, Roger and Kevin Benson, Valerie Boshart, and Leila Toomey, along with their spouses; and many grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge, followed by committal at Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick. Arrangements were under the direction of Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge.
