Barbara Mansell

Barbara Benson Mansell passed away on July 7, 2009, at the age of 88, surrounded by family and friends. Born on July 26, 1920 in Ithaca, New York, she was the daughter of Katherine McMurry and Charles Beverley Benson. A long time resident of Alamo Heights, she was a member of the San Antonio Council of Presidents, active in the San Antonio Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, as well as the Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce. Barbara was a dedicated supporter of the McNay Museum of Art, the San Antonio Zoo, the San Antonio Botanical Society and the Texas Old Missions and Forts Restoration Association. She was a 1937 graduate of Gorton High School in Yonkers, New York and a 1941 graduate of Cornell University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. During World War II, she served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve. She graduated at the top of her class from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1950 and was a former director of the San Antonio Bar Association and a member of the State Bar of Texas. A supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Barbara was also active in the Military Order of World Wars, including having served as Commander of the San Antonio Chapter, and was active in the State of Texas Republican Party. Beyond her community and charitable interests, Barbara's passions included international travel, sports (particularly the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys), politics and cats, especially her Himalayans: Inky, Misha and Candy. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Barbara was preceded in death by her sister, Page Kelly, and her daughter, Patricia Anne Mansell. She is survived by her brother, Beverley Benson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her daughter and son-in-law, Kitty and Freddie Merritt, of Eustis, Florida; her grandchildren, Jason and Gregory Merritt; her great-grandchildren, Katy and Aiden Merritt and her dear friend, Peggy Bayne.