Kathleen Lee Monson-Benfield

Kathleen (Kathy) Lee Monson-Benfield was born on March 14, 1957 in Stanley, North Dakota where she lived for 11 years. She was a resident of Merced, California for the past 48 years and previously lived in Atwater, California for 7 years. Kathleen passed away at the age of 66 on August 11, 2023 at Stanford Women’s Cancer Center. She is survived by her husband Francis Benfield; mother Avis Monson; brother Robert Monson (Pamela); sisters Mary Setyono (Johannes), Sharon Monson Tjahjadi (Ray), Patricia Monson Geerts (Stephen); her Uncle Richard Septon and Aunt Jennifer Septon; nieces and nephews: Michael Monson (Flávia), John Monson (Alyssa), Amanda Tjahjadi (Brandon), Maya Tjahjadi, Johanna Monson Geerts, Madeleine Monson Geerts and Ian Setyono; great nieces and nephews: Emma Monson, Levi Monson and Lewis Monson. Kathleen is preceded in death by her father Leroy W. Monson; grandparents Einar and Helma Septon, Florence and Reinert Skaar and Roy Monson; Uncle Lyle Monson and Aunt Darlene Monson.

Kathy was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece. She loved and doted on her nieces and nephews as well as her beloved dogs and cat, and over the years, she enjoyed hosting holiday parties for family and friends. Kathy was a caring, loyal friend, with a generous heart, and these friends supported her tirelessly and lovingly throughout her battle with cancer.

Kathy's love for travel took her to places near and far, most notably, the Great Wall of China, Europe and New Mexico for her much dreamed-of ride in a hot air balloon. She also cherished the summer vacations she had at Pismo Beach.

Kathleen was a Radiologic Technologist – Imaging manager and worked over 40 years at Mercy Medical Center (formerly, Merced Community Medical Center). She was highly respected for her knowledge and skills as a radiologic technologist and was greatly valued for her sensitivity and leadership in Merced's healthcare community, where she worked for over 40 years.

Family was especially important to Kathy, and she loved nothing more than to celebrate birthdays and holidays and take trips with family. Her husband, mother, sisters and brother, uncle and aunt and many nieces and nephews, and her dog, Chloe, loved her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathy’s honor to the Cancer Center at Dignity Health-Mercy Medical Center; Angel Flight West ([email protected]) and the Salvation Army.