Jean Gartner Benson, age 94 of Chesterland Township, passed away on May 12, 2020. Born January 7, 1926, in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of Elizabeth Zepfler Gartner and Walter C. F. Gartner. She graduated from Needham High School (MA) in 1943, earned a bachelor of arts from the University of New Hampshire in 1947, and a master of arts from Case Western Reserve University in 1969. She met Kirk L. Benson at the University of New Hampshire and they married on September 13, 1947. Kirk died in 2000.
Jean is survived by her sisters Betty Maloney of Boulder, CO, and Louise Birkhead of Syracuse, NY; her children Judy Harrold (Stan) of Orangeburg, SC, Kirk L. Benson Jr. (Vickie) of Chesterland, Douglas Benson (Pat) of Newbury, and Glen Benson (Chris) of Munson, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.
Jean taught for many years at the Claridon Elementary School. She belonged to, and was active in, the Chesterland Community Church, the Chesterland Historical Society and she volunteered at the Geauga County Hospital. She also helped a Vietnamese family attain US citizenship by teaching them English. She enjoyed knitting, weaving, reading, gardening, walking, swimming, and attending concerts.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday August 14th, 2021 11am at the Community Church of Chesterland 11984 Caves Road, Chesterland.
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