Betty Mitchell Benson

Introduced through friends in Fort Worth, Texas, John and Betty married after taking her uncle’s advice that there is more to a man’s character than his ability to look good on a dance floor. She often said that her greatest accomplishment was choosing the right father for their children, Sally Benson and Beth Benson of Houston, and John Benson III of Pennsylvania.

Perhaps Mother’s finest gift was finding friends who would enrich and elevate her life. Through Lakeside Country Club, the Houston Racquet Club, the Blue Bird Circle and the Randy Smith Bible Study Group, she found the brightest and the best.

She loved dancing, playing bridge, surrounding herself with those she treasured, and being “Bama” to Travis and Krista Swanson and Adam Benson.

A passionate reader all her life, she was rarely seen without a book in her hands. She loved literature right up until the moment that words failed her.

In the past few years, mom put others in charge of remembering. She concentrated on keeping a positive attitude in spite of her illness and never stopped trying to communicate.

Mom kissed her daughter’s hand during a recent visit and said, “I don’t know who you are, but I like you.”

A memorial service celebrating her life is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 29th of November, in the Chapel of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Hines Baker Room.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Betty's name be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266.