Anna May Doreen Benson

Anna May Doreen Benson (nee Salter), known as Doreen, passed away after a long illness on Fri., April 16, 2010 at Mount Hope, Marian Villa, in London, Ont. at the age of 88.
She was the beloved wife of the late Miles Gordon Benson. She was the loving mother to Barbara and husband Rick Benson-Gubesch of New Dundee, Ont., Heather McClement of London, Ont., and Pamela and husband Scott Bolingbroke of Florida, USA. She was the proud grandmother to Cameron McClement; Shannon Shurgold and husband David; Kristy and Russell Bolingbroke; and Blair Elizabeth Benson. In 2008 Doreen became a great-grandmother with the birth of Samantha Shurgold. Doreen is also survived by six nieces, the children of her dear late brother and late sister-in-law, Franklin and Verna Salter: Donna Reid of Red Deer, Alta., Karen Allen of Red Deer, Diane Fawcett of Winchester, Connie Walch of Red Deer, Lori Casselman of Williamsburg, and Carol Sousa of Ottawa.
Born in Inkerman in 1921, Doreen was raised on her parent's dairy farm along the Nation River in eastern Ontario. In the late 1930s she started her working life in Ottawa, and soon began to help with the war effort assembling gas masks for the military. At this time, she met and married her handsome soldier, then Lieutenant Miles Benson. When the Benson family moved from Ottawa to Camp Borden she became an expert rifle markswoman in Armettes. In 1965, shortly after her husband retired as an Army Major, the Benson's finally settled in Mississauga, where Doreen became the area Commissioner for Girl Guides. She always kept active because her busy husband really never did retire. Beyond parenting and guiding, Doreen had many interests and talents. She loved her afternoon soap operas, baking, and did all sorts of crafts. Doreen and Miles were avid boaters and docked for more than a decade at Big Bay Point Marina on Lake Simcoe. But while Doreen was suffering from advancing Alzheimer's disease, her husband died at the age of 86 on Nov. 7, 2003, of complications due to diabetes. Miles and Doreen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February 2003.
Cremation has taken place, and as an expression of sympathy, donations can be directed to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, New Hamburg assisted with arrangements.
Donation information and on-line condolences at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca