JUDITH MAE BENSON

 If Mom wrote her own obituary, the title would say, “I Told You I Was Sick!” She found humor even in the most poignant moments.  Judith Mae Benson passed away holding her husband’s hand on June 15^th, 2019, among those she loved the most.  She was at home, where she wanted to be and although suffering from a long illness, Judy remained upbeat and retained her wicked sense of humor to the very end. 

Judith Mae Allen was born into a basketball family in Newcastle, Indiana on June 28^th, 1939.  She had no choice but to understand what a pick and roll meant and she regularly shared meals with giants at the dinner table as her father coached teams at Valparaiso University, Waukegan High School and Rock Island High School.  When television was invented, they quickly purchased two so her father could watch the games.  Judy kept her interests in horses as she had two; Ginger and Jasper and rode them in shows when not chasing the ponies in the neighborhood when they escaped from their pasture.  She was also a cheerleader at Rock Island High School, actress in school plays and was a member of The National Honor Society.

She attended Northwestern University on an academic scholarship. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. While enrolled at Northwestern University, she started dating a wild playboy (Dad) and learned how to really party.  After earning her BA in Education, Loren and Judy married and started a wonderful adventure together, filled with the ups and downs of life.  Judy became a second grade school teacher.  She was also a substitute teacher in her daughter’s fourth grade class a few times.  She sold real estate, had a wallpaper business and worked for a florist.  Judy was always on the go, constantly involved with helping others.  She was a member of the Red Cross, Junior Service League and The Daughters of the American Revolution. 

But most of all, Judy had an incredible zest for life and a love for her family.  She always made sure her kids were well loved and taken care of, which we felt every day of our lives.  She put 110% into everything she did and it showed.  She would make incredible costumes for plays or Halloween, or create a party down to the last decorated cookie.  No detail was left out. 

Judy loved to be silly.  She and Loren would dress up with another couple every Mother’s day and go out for drinks for fun.  Judy and her mother in law, Eunice, dressed as call girls to meet Loren at the airport and embarrass the living daylights out of him.  It worked.  We will miss her crazy humor.

Judith Mae (Allen) Benson is survived by her loving husband Loren Benson, daughter Lorile Herlihy, children, Jack & Kate,  son Erik (Donna) Benson, children, Zoe, Isabelle & Tynan,  Sister-in-Law Carla Benson, Sisters-in-Law, Nancy (Charles) Barbaro,  Judith Allen and nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her father, Wilbur Noble Allen, mother, Bertha Ellen Allen, brother, David Allen. Her Brother-in-Law, Gary Benson recently passed away on July, 1, 2019. 

Judith has chosen cremation.  She wanted a party and celebration in her honor has been held.  No crying.