Elizabeth S. Benson, 85, of Woodbury, passed away Thursday, July 28 at the Waterbury Hospital.
Born in Waterbury, Betty was the daughter of Pauline and Julius Smith. She graduated from Westover School in 1944 and received a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College in 1948. She worked in the research department of United Aircraft from 1948-1951, leaving to marry John Benson, her beloved husband and true partner of 60 years.
Betty was creative, curious, energetic and athletic. She was an avid skier, tennis player and golfer, well into her eighties. She was also a loyal Red Sox fan. A long-time resident of Woodbury, Betty was active in civic affairs for many years, donating her time to the Republican Town Committee, the League of Women Voters and the state board of Planned Parenthood. In recent years she served as a trustee of the Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury. She was also a member of the Highfield Club in Middlebury. Betty's greatest joys however, were found working side by side her husband John and raising a family.
In addition to John, she leaves three daughters, Susan and her husband David Turnbull, Amy and her husband Bill Cutting, and Liza and her husband Mark Prestipino, as well as nine grandchildren: Elizabeth, Douglas and Caroline Turnbull, Will and Ellie Cutting, Katie and John Tomai, and Niko and Michael Prestipino. She was predeceased by her sisters, Polly Spedden and Susan Mingey.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Riverside Cemetery Donation Trust, attn: R. Cella, Bank of America, 157 Church Street, 26th floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A celebration of Betty's life is being planned.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.