Carolyn Benton Grant

She was born in Montclair, New Jersey on October 31, 1932. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, sister Marion, and son Alan. She is survived by her son Doug, daughter Alison, daughters-in-law Terri and Teri, nephews, Jeff and Ken, four grandchildren, Ted, Daniel, Jesse and Dominique, three grand daughters-in-law, Diana, Julia and Rasha, and two great-grandchildren, Giana and Radia.

Carolyn was born in Upper Montclair, New Jersey to her parents Warren and Felicia Benton. The family summered in East Marion, Long Island yearly, which she sVll visited regularly.

The family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in her senior year in High School in 1949. She attended the University of New Mexico the following year. She affiliated with Tri Delta and P.E.O.

Chapter V, which became an important part of her life. At UNM she met the love of her life, Bill Grant, in freshman English class. They married and had three children, Alan, Doug, and Alison.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1957, buying a house in Westchester, near LAX. She was active in the community, including singing in the choir at The Congregational Church of the Messiah, Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout leader, President for the Westchester Community

Concerts, and active in P. E.O. Chapter QB.

In 1971 the family moved to Poway in northern San Diego County. She became active in P.E.O. Chapter SX. She got involved in helping Green Valley to install sewers and helping the community of Poway Incorporate to become a city. Her husband served on the water board.

Then in 1977, the family relocated to Riverside California, where she knew no one at the time. She became active in Panhellenic home tours, bridge groups, hosting parties and P.E.O. Chapter BV. She became active in the city including 1983 Centennial Committee, Charter Review Committee and campaign manager for several City Council races. She became a docent at the Riverside Museum working at the Museum and Heritage house. She took classes at U.C.R. Extension and received a certificate in Public Relations. The history of Riverside became one of her passions, so she started a company, Tours of the Town, with a partner and gave tours of

Riverside. She was hired as a consultant by the Mission Inn Foundation and developed membership programs, a speaker’s bureau, Mission Inn Run Committee and worked in the museum store and was part of the first class of Mission Inn Foundation Docents. She developed and gave sidewalk tours of the Mission Inn while it was shut down for renovation. In 1993, as a member of Friends of the Riverside Library, she and a small group started the Riverside Dickens Festival to promote literacy and to encourage residents to visit downtown Riverside. She remained active in the Riverside Dickens Festival for decades.

In 2000, after the passing of her husband Bill, she moved to a condominium at the base of Mount Rubidoux. She became active at Calvary Presbyterian Church and started singing in the choir again. She started to travel including Albuquerque, East Marion, Alaska, England, Ireland, France, Bermuda, the Mississippi River and more.

In 2008 she moved to Braemar Apartment Co-Op, at the base of Mount Rubidoux where she became social director and played bridge weekly.

In 2024 She moved to San Diego to live with her Daughter.

She loved traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, bridge, and singing in the choir. Breakfast, lunch and dinner was her rule and must sit down for dinner with family, no hats!

Carolyn was cherished for her smile, blue eyes, warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to her family and friends. Her gentle spirit and infectious laughter brought comfort and joy to all who knew her. She touched countless lives through her volunteer work and community involvement, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and resilience that will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on January 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Presbyterian Church (4495 Magnolia Ave, Riverside 92501), reception to follow at the church. A private interment will be at 2:30 PM at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the P.E.O. Scholarship Fund: www.peointernaVonal.org or the Riverside Dickens Festival: www.dickensfest.com