Barbara Benson Wymer

She was the Founder and Director of Benson Protocol Company specializing in Business and Social Etiquette. She was certified by the Protocol School of Washington. Her goal was to show people how to present themselves with confidence and authority. She made etiquette easy for everyone -- business executives, community leaders and even children. She especially liked working with young people. She was the Etiquette Instructor for the Palm Beach Junior League Cotillion.

Barbara was raised in Michigan. She attended Michigan State University and graduated from the University of Miami. She earned her MBA from Florida Atlantic University.

Her public speaking began with Florida Power and Light when she provided cooking tips on stage and television. Her audiences included everyone from Girl Scouts to professional chefs. She started her 30-year career with FPL as a Home Economist and held management positions in Sales/Marketing and Customer Service. Later she was an FPL spokesperson in community forums where she addressed energy issues. She won FPL's CIP speaking competition. As a professional speaker at the national level, she shared top billing with people like Dr. Joyce Brothers and White House correspondent Helen Thomas.

She was President of the Florida Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She volunteered her time to the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the recent past Regent for the Palm Beach Chapter.

Over the years she helped with fund raising for organizations like Lourdes Noreen McKeen, the Arthritis Foundation and Trustbridge Hospice.

She was an active member of St. Juliana Catholic Church. She was a Dame of Grace in the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller, Palm Beach Commandery.

She was on the American Cancer Society's Board of Palm Beach County and Florida Division Board of Directors American Cancer Society.

With good reason the South Florida Fair honored Barbara Benson Wymer as Volunteer of the Year.

She was a role model for women in Palm Beach. She was a leader in the Women’s Red Apple Foundation of Palm Beach County, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, and Leadership of Palm Beach County.

She was predeceased by her husband, John Wymer, former administrator of Good Samaritan Medical Center.

Barbara is survived by her sisters Marilyn Suriano and Gay Kielbania (Ken), and her brother Louis Benson (Marcia).

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Women’s Red Apple Foundation of Palm Beach County. Donations will go to scholarships in Barbara’s name.

Women’s Red Apple Foundation of Palm Beach County

400 Hibiscus Street, 200-W

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

A visitation for Barbara will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 27, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Juliana Catholic Church, 4500 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. A committal service will occur Friday, October 27, 2023 from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, 10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.quattlebaumFH.com for the Wymer family.