Marilyn was born on December 22, 1934 to John Albert and Marjorie Scott Moore. She was a lifelong resident of Kansas City. Marilyn attended the Sunset Hill School and graduated in 1953. She attended Briarcliff Junior College and the University of Kansas. On June 21, 1958 she married the very special John Albert Benson. She was active in the Kansas City community where she found and deepened lifelong friendships with her volunteer work and participation in many clubs. These included the chairman of the Children's Mercy Hospital Children's Relief Fund, a regent with the Kenmore Foundation in Virginia, Pembroke Hill Alumni Association, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and the Junior League of Kansas City.
Marilyn especially enjoyed her involvement with the Jewel Ball and was the chairman in 1989. She and John were former members of the Kansas City Country Club, the River Club, and Kissing Camels Country Club. Marilyn was a people person who loved spending time with her many friends – playing golf, tennis and bridge, planning parties and supporting her family in their endeavors.
In March 1985 she tragically lost her beloved best friend and sister, Nancy Moore Thornton. Marilyn suffered several more unexpected losses when her dear husband John died in May 1996 and her precious granddaughter Allison in February 2020.
Marilyn was very outgoing and vivacious. She loved to travel; particularly she enjoyed her years with John in Colorado Springs with friends and family at the Garden of the Gods and Kissing Camels Country Club.
Marilyn is survived by her sons Scott Benson, Denver, CO, Charley Benson (Jennifer), Leawood, KS and Peter Benson, Prairie Village, KS and her grandchildren Caitlin, Sara and John, as well as many special grand and great nieces and nephews.
A favorite evening for Marilyn would be sitting around the table enjoying a good meal and bottle of wine and telling old stories with lots of laughs. Marilyn recounted the following to be put in her remembrance: "Loved by many but not by all". She gave us all a good laugh.
Services will be private.
Donations in her name will be loving received at Children's Mercy Hospital - the Allison Marjorie Benson Fund, 2401, Gilham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 or in her honor at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113.
