Lillian M. Benson

New London- Lillian Marie (Stevko) Benson, 81, of Mystic entered into eternal life on December 7th 2012 in the comfort of her loving family at the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. She was born in Newark NJ on September 7, 1931 to Suzanna and Matthew Stevko. She grew up in Irvington NJ and graduated from Irvington High School class of 1949. At age 23 in October 1954 she met the love of her life Carl Edward Benson Jr. of Uncasville CT while he was on active duty in the US Army stationed in New Jersey. They were engaged to be married in November of that same year just prior to Carl being sent to Korea for active duty military service where they corresponded on a daily basis. She later married Carl on June 30, 1956 upon his return from Korea. Carl and Lillian first settled in the town of Uncasville, however they soon moved to Mystic where they lived happily together for more than fifty years. Lillian and Carl were faithfully married for 56 years. Lillian was a kind hearted person who loved animals, was an avid UConn Husky fan and loved her teddy bear collection. She was a beautiful woman who accepted all regardless of their faults and or differences. Lillian believed in finding the good in people rather than judging them for their faults.

She was a lifelong wife, mother, and grandmother who loved having family parties and events where she enjoyed the loud debates and discussions of the family in attendance. When the noise got loud and the debates were long she just sat at the table smiling for she knew that it was just her family being the Benson family. She raised five children in her home in Mystic, often by herself because her husband’s work required him to be away from home sometimes for several days and at times for several weeks.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents Matthew and Suzanna Stevko, also her sister Mildred Brevnik. She is survived by her husband Carl Benson of Mystic, her sister Dorothy King of Santa Clarita, CA, her son James Benson of Charlotte NC, daughters Joni Donnelly of Torrington, Susan Picken of Groton, Mary Slater of New London, and Kathy Jo Benson of New London. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and also many nieces and nephews.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 4 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday evening December 11th, 2012 at the Fulton Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St Mary’s Mother of the Redeemer Church, Top of Fort Hill in Groton at 10 am on Wednesday, December 12th 2012. Interment will immediately follow the mass at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Depot Road in Montville. Please visit www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lillian’s name to the Town of Groton Animal Control, 68 Groton Long Point Rd., Groton CT.