Homer Randolph Benson and Florence Kathryn "Kay" (Stannert) Benson are entombed in Saint Clement's Church Crypt, Honolulu, Honolulu Co., HI. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.

Dorothy Demming (Clarke) Benson is buried in O'ahu Cemetery, Honolulu, Honolulu Co., HI. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.

The Ventura County Star, Camarillo, Ventura Co., CA, September 23, 2009

Lifestyle, By Alicia Doyle

Positive attitude, staying busy keep woman going at 100

By all accounts, Marion Benson is an anomaly at 100 years old - and it's not because she's one of few centenarians in the world. "Every time I take her to a doctor's appointment and they find out her age, they almost faint," said her son, Kent O'Brien, 70, of Camarillo. "She looks about 70 - she doesn't even have wrinkles. And to everyone that meets her, she's an absolute marvel. Whatever it is, I want it to rub off on me." Benson, who turned 100 on Saturday, is just as surprised as most folks about celebrating this very special and uncommon birthday. "I'm amazed myself," said Benson, who lives at University Village Thousand Oaks. "I don't feel any different today than I did 50 years ago. It's just that I try to keep a positive attitude; I wake up every morning just looking forward to the day. And if I don't have anything already planned, I get busy and plan something so I get out. I don't stay cooped up at all; I'm on the move." Born as Marion Pratt in Richland Center, Wis., she graduated from the University of Wisconsin before heading west to California with her first husband, Stan O'Brien, in the 1940s. Kent recalled, "My father had come out to be in Hollywood; he was a tremendously talented guy who sang in nightclubs in Wisconsin." His father died in 1955, when Kent was 16. About 20 years later, his mother attended her 50th high school reunion in Wisconsin. "When she was out there, she struck up a conversation with a gentleman she grew up with as kids. They even double-dated together when they were kids," Kent O'Brien said. The gentleman - Homer Benson - was a married doctor living in Honolulu at the time. After the reunion, "his wife passed away, so a few years go by and he starts sending my mom boxes of anthuriums from Hawaii." Benson also started making trips to Texas to see his brother, during which time he'd travel through California to visit Marion. "The next thing you know he comes through (California) again," O'Brien recalled. "My mother calls me the next day. She says, - Homer told me, "Marion, I have always been in love with you since we were kids, but when we were kids, you never gave me a second look."'" With that, "she married him on Valentine's Day; she was in her late 80s." Benson closed his doctor's practice in Honolulu, and the couple moved to Walnut Creek. "He loved her dearly," O'Brien said. "But he passed away after six years. They had a great six years."

At this point, Benson was in her early 90s, "and still driving her car," her son said. "She was the designated driver for all of her 70-year-old friends." When she had to renew her license at age 92, she took the written and driving tests and passed them both. "She just gave her driver's license up two years ago," said O'Brien, who now does the majority of driving for his mom. "It was her decision to quit driving. She just felt like it was time to quit because I'm nearby and she really doesn't need a car." (Benson also has a daughter, Patricia Major, as well as four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.) Just a few months ago, when Benson went to the doctor after hitting her leg on a high-end table, the physician and his staff were shocked to discover her true age - coupled with the fact that she healed as fast as someone many decades younger. "She got this ulcer with a little blood clot in it," recalled Dr. J. Thomas Millington of Thousand Oaks. "When she said she was 99, I could have fallen off the table. I thought, we're probably going to have trouble with this healing because of her age and circulation. But when I felt the pulse in her foot, it was like someone in their 50s or 60s." When he saw her again a couple of weeks ago, the injury was "about half the size as it was; it's almost totally healed," Millington said. "Instead of healing in the amount of time it usually takes for someone her age - which is about three months - she healed in just about a month." Terrie Schumacher, Millington's office manager, said: "I don't think I'll ever see anybody else like Marion in my life. This is a lady who walks in with no assistance, has all her mental bearings about her, she doesn't wear hearing aids and she lives in an independent living facility. She is incredibly classy and beautiful - and just amazing." For Benson, age is something that rarely comes to mind. "I don't dwell on my age - it doesn't occur to me to think about it; I never do," she said. "I just try to look on the positive side of everything. I'm here - for how long I don't know - but I'm not going to worry about it."

The Acorn, Agoura Hills, Los Angeles Co., CA, Thursday, November 17, 2016

By Alicia Doyle, Special to The Acorn

This local 107-year-old says ‘Don’t worry, be happy’

KEEPING BUSY - Among the daily activities 107-year-old Marion Benson enjoys at University Village are reading mystery novels, playing bridge, assembling puzzles and dining with friends. Photo by Dianne Avery, Acorn Newspapers

At 107, Thousand Oaks resident Marion Benson says the secret to her longevity is a stress-free, drug-free lifestyle. “I just don’t worry,” said Benson, who celebrated her most recent birthday Sept. 19 in her home at University Village, a continuing-care community in Thousand Oaks. “I take everything in moderation. I don’t overeat and I don’t smoke or drink,” she said. “I don’t take any pills that are going to make me young or anything; I just go from day to day doing my regular thing.” Born in 1909 in Richland Center, Wis., then a town of about 4,000, Benson moved to California in 1944 when her first husband got a job at Douglas Aircraft Company. Benson has seen many “firsts,” including the first airplane and the first television set. “My father and I were walking down the street in the little town, and he said, ‘You know, there’s going to be a change here; we’re going to have a box put up and that box will have pictures,’” Benson said. “It excited the whole town. But we didn’t get one . . . not for a long time.” Growing up in Middle America, Benson said, most of her neighbors practiced modesty in the way they dressed, even in the 1920s’ flapper era. “I was not allowed to wear those short things . . . then my daughter came along,” Benson said. “She came over to my house and I was sitting there reading, and my mouth literally fell open because she’s got a dress on that’s way above her knees.” Among the many presidents who’ve been elected over the course of Benson’s life, she’s seen at least one in person: William Howard Taft, America’s 27th president (1909-1913). “He came to our little town and they gave him a potluck dinner in the Methodist church in the basement,” she said, “so he was the first president I remember. . . . Then, of course, everybody liked JFK.” This week, Benson voted in her 22nd presidential election. It was a short trip to the polls because University Village served as a polling place for the first time in the community’s history.

Midwestern girl

Benson was born and raised as Marion Pratt. She had two stepbrothers and one stepsister, all of whom were about 20 years older than her. “My mother died very young; she was only 40 and she had a brain tumor,” Benson said. “So I was brought up by this sister who was 20 years older. Her name was Letha Martin. She was my mom; she did everything for me. She was a wonderful gal.” When Benson was around 21, she met Stan O’Brien, the man who would be her first husband, while working in Milwaukee at a drugstore pharmacy. “A man came in and he wanted a cherry Coke . . . so I fixed him a cherry Coke,” she said. “Well I continued on making cherry Cokes day after day after day, until finally he asked me for a date.” When she and O’Brien moved to California in 1944, it marked the first time she’d been west of the Mississippi River. They first lived in Santa Monica, where Benson was in charge of the printing department in the administration building of the Santa Monica School District. The two were married for 17 years and had two children, Kent and Patricia. O’Brien died of a heart attack in 1956. Benson later married a man named Homer Benson, and their relationship lasted about six years until he, too, died of a heart attack. “I guess I knocked them both off - I loved them too much,” Benson joked. Three months ago, her son, Kent, died from a brain tumor. He was 73 and a former pilot for United Airlines. “I loved him so much; he was such a wonderful man,” Benson said. “He used to come here a lot. I’m handling it all right. I just figure he’s in a better place than I am, and I think mine is pretty good, so his must be a lot better.” Despite outliving so many family members, Benson said, she’s still a happy person. She loves spending time with her four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to live without Kent, but I found out I can,” she said. “I have him in my heart and I can look at his picture whenever I want to - and that’s OK. There was nothing that I could do about it. I had no control. It’s done. I can’t bring him back, but I can keep him with me.” Benson has lived at University Village since 2008. Her favorite hobbies? Playing bridge, taking walks around the fish pond and spending time with friends. “I like it here very much; they really have a lot to offer,” Benson said. “I’ve got lots of friends here.”

The Acorn, Agoura Hills, Los Angeles Co., CA, October 26, 2017

T. O. Woman tops 108

REASON TO BE GRATEFUL - Marion Benson, whose story was featured last year in the Acorn, turned 108 last month. She's believed to be the oldest living person in Thousand Oaks. For her birthday, Benson, a resident of University Village, received a special visit from her granddaughter, Kathy (Major) Stone, a huge Grateful Dead fan who was thrilled to learn Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band would be performing for free at Dover-Hendrix Park while she was in town from Mendocino, Calif.

Marion Estelle (Pratt) (O'Brien) Benson's 109th birthday party. Photo courtesy of Kevin Major.

W. E. Pratt was born in Jericho, Vt., July 31, 1848, and is the son of Edwin Pratt and Hannah Hapgood. About 1855 the family came to Wisconsin and resided two years at Beloit, then came to Richland county and engaged in farming in the town of Willow. The parents now reside at Sextonville. The subject of this sketch, at the age of eighteen, commenced work at the painters trade, and has since given his attention to the same, and is now a member of the firm of Pratt Bros. In March 1878 he was married to Fannie Goodrich, daughter of Lorenzo Goodrich. They have two children: Fred and Roy E.

Lawton Raymond Diary Page from 1932.

September 14, 2014

Kevin Lawton writes the following to Leigh Larson:

It was brought to my attention that cousin Marian (Pratt) (O’Brien) Benson celebrates her 105^th birthday this Friday. It was 70 years ago this Friday that Marian introduced my parents to each other when my Dad was in Milwaukee on leave from the army to help celebrate Marian’s 35^th birthday. I believe they attended a double-feature movie. Brother Dennis read this in my Dad’s diary this past weekend. 

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane Co., WI, Monday, September 25, 1939

NEW ARRIVALS

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley O'Brien, 1314 Rutledge st., announce the birth of a son on Sept. 22 at the Methodist hospital. Mrs. O'Brien is the former Miss Marion Pratt.

The Milwaukee Sentinel, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, Friday, August 14, 1942

Death Notices

O'BRIEN: August 12, 1942, Jessie Harrison O'Brien, beloved husband of Florence, father of Thomas, Stanley and Robert. Services at the new Brett Funeral Home, W. Wisconsin av. at N. 20th st., Saturday morning at 10 o'clock.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Honolulu Co., HI, Saturday, April 21, 1945

MRS. DOROTHY C. BENSON

The Rev. Anson P. Stokes Jr. of St. Andrew's cathedral will conduct services at 2 p. m. Monday at Borthwick's mortuary for Mrs. Dorothy Clarke Benson, 31, who died at her Nuuanu home Friday. Friends may call at the mortuary after 1:45 p. m. Monday. Interment will be in Nuuanu cemetery. Mrs. Benson was born in Spokane, Wash., July 1, 1914. She is survived by the widower, Dr. Homer R. Benson; two sons, David and Homer Jr.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Clarke, and a brother, Don Clarke.

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane Co., WI, Monday, April 23, 1945

Mrs. Homer Benson

RICHLAND CENTER - Dr. and Mrs. Gideon Benson have been notified of the death Friday of their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Homer Benson, 31, in Honolulu, after a year's illness. Immediately after his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1935, Dr. Homer Benson left to take his internship in Honolulu. Aboard ship he met his future wife Dorothy Clark, who was moving from Seattle to Honolulu with her family. They were married later and came here in 1936 for a visit. She leaves her husband, a navy surgeon in Pearl Harbor; two sons, Homer, Jr., and David, her parents and a brother, all of Honolulu, also a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Benson, also with the navy at Pearl Harbor.

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane Co., WI, September 16, 1949

Stannert - Benson

RICHLAND CENTER - Dr. and Mrs. Gideon Benson and other Richland Center relatives of Dr. Homer Benson, Honolulu, Hawaii, have received announcements of his marriage to Miss Florence Kathryn Stannert, Milton, Pa., on Sept. 10. Dr. Benson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and has been practicing in Honolulu in partnership with his brother, Dr. Robert Benson, for the past few years. His bride is a former lieutenant in the Waves and has taught school in Honolulu and New York City.

Patricia Carol O'Brien graduated from Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., CA. She was Vice President of her senior class (second from left).

John Hayes Major and Patricia Carol O'Brien Marriage Record.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Honolulu Co., HI, Tuesday, August 7, 1962

Miss Judy Meek Is Bride

Mrs. David C. Benson

Miss Judy Adele Meek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Meek, 1329 Victoria Street, and David Clarke Benson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Homer Benson, 1802 Keeaumoku Street, exchanged vows July 14 at Sacred Heart Church. The bride was attended by her cousin, Mrs. John Yates, and Miss Sue Laas. Miss Marcia Meek, the bride's sister, was the junior bridesmaid. Attending the groom were Randolph Garner, Randall Almeida and Darrell Meek, the bride's brother. A reception was given at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, and the couple honeymooned in Waikiki. The bride is a graduate of Grant High School in Van Nuys, California, and her husband graduated from Roosevelt High School. He is employed at Pacific Laundry.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Honolulu Co., HI, Sunday, June 22, 1980

obituaries

BENSON - Kathryn Stannert Benson, 67, of 2838 Kahawai St., died June 13 while visiting relatives in Pennsylvania. She was born in Lewisburg, Penn., and was active in Honolulu education and community organizations for many years. She was dean of senior women and headed the English department at Punahou School, where she taught from 1946 to 1950. She was president of the Girl Scout Council of the Pacific and active in the American Association of University Women. Services 4 p.m. Tuesday at St. Clement's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Clement's Memorial Fund. Survived by husband, D. Homer R. Benson; sons, Homer Jr. of San Francisco and Honolulu police Lt. David C. Benson; daughter, Kathryn Jane of San Francisco; mother, Florence Stannert of Pennsylvania; sister, Jane Ranck of Pennsylvania; grandsons, Robert and Michael Benson.

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane Co., WI, Wednesday, May 25, 1988

Benson, Homer Randolph, M.D.

WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA / RICHLAND CENTER - Homer Randolph Benson, M. D., 79, died on Tuesday, May 3, 1988, at home in Walnut Creek, California. He was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on February 6, 1909, and retired from 42 years of medical practice in Hawaii in 1980. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Gideon Benson of Richland Center, whose three sons were doctors. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1935, and went to Hawaii, where he was Chief of Staff of Shingle Memorial Hospital on Molokai 1938-42 and government physician for Molokai 1942-44. He was in private practice in Honolulu with his brother, Robert G. Benson, M.D., operating the Benson Clinic 1944-80. Dr. Benson was a Charter Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, president of the Hawaii Academy of Family Physicians in 1960, a director of the Hawaii Medical Service Association 1962-66, and received the American Medical Association Physicians' Recognition Award in 1980. He belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution, and in Walnut Creek was a member of the Kiwanis, Masonic Hi-12, and the Shriners. He is survived by his wife, Marion E. Benson; sons, H. Randolph Benson of San Francisco, and Major David C. Benson of Honolulu; daughter, Kathryn Jane Benson of Friday Harbor, Washington; step-son, Kent O'Brien; step-daughter, Patricia Major, both of Westlake Village, California; and granddaughters, Sherrill Hayes of Kona, Hawaii, and Laurel Cabaug of Honolulu. A Masonic Memorial Service over the ashes was held at the Honolulu Masonic Temple, at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, 1988. Private interment followed at the Chapel of Peace, St. Clement's Church, Honolulu. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bobby Benson Center, an adolescent drug treatment facility named for Dr. Benson's grandson, P.O. Box 26630, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825.

RUPANEWS, Journal of the Retired United Pilots Association, Vineburg, Sonoma Co., CA, August, 2016

ALAN "KENT" O'BRIEN

Kent (76) departed on his eternal flight in the heavens on June 24, 2016 surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born in 1939 in Madison, Wisconsin and after a family move out west, he attended Santa Monica High School. Shortly thereafter he joined the National Guard where he went on to become a helicopter and tank mechanic. At a young age Kent was fascinated by flight and along the way he'd use all of his extra earnings to further his private pilot training. Over time. he'd decided that embarking on a professional career as an airline pilot was his true calling and he joined UAL in June of 1966 at the age of 27. Throughout his 33-year UAL career based in LAX, he'd go on to hold seats on the DC-6, DC-7, 727, DC-10, 757, 767, and 747. The pinnacle times of Kent's career were his years spent as Captain on the 727, 757. 767, and 747. He truly loved his job and focused on ensuring his passengers not only arrived at their destinations safely and comfortably, but that they enjoyed their flight experience. Some would consider the mariner of which he carried himself on the job as a lost art. He truly was a special man. Piloting the commercial skies was not his only passion. Kent loved to spend his time boating, riding motorcycles, working on and restoring cars, wood­working, fishing, home improvement projects. traveling with his wife and family, and of course flying for fun...lots of it. From his early beginnings as a private pilot, Kent's first airplane was a Cessna 140 which he used to impress and court his surviving wife Chris on their first dates. After his children (Michael and Scott) were born, Kent went on to own a number of neat airplanes including a Cessna 150, Beechcraft Bonanza. show-winning Luscombe 8-A, Piper Aztec, and masterfully built a custom RV-8 of which he was very proud. Kent's smile lit up the room, his stories captivated his listeners, his personality and enthusiasm were positively infectious, and his willingness to always offer knowledge, experience, advice. and help was a testament to his selflessness and love for being around and impacting people. He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Papa. and Friend of many. His memory will be cherished forever. Kent is survived by his wife Chris, two sons and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Thousand Oaks Acorn, Thousand Oaks Acorn staff, December 13, 2018

‘Mighty Marion’ gone at 109

LONG-LIVED - Marion O’Brien Benson, thought to be Thousand Oaks’ oldest-living resident, died last month at the age of 109. Above and right: pictures taken of Benson in 2016 after her 107th birthday. Marion O’Brien Benson, who outlived two husbands and both her children, died Nov. 5 at University Village retirement community in Thousand Oaks at the age of 109. She’d lived there 11 years. Profiled in the Acorn in 2016 after her 107th birthday, Benson attributed her uncommon longevity to always having a positive outlook. “I just don’t worry,” she said at the time. Born in 1909 in Richland Center, Wis., Benson moved to California in 1944 when her first husband got a job at Douglas Aircraft Company. In her lifetime, she saw many “firsts,” including the first airplane and the first television set. She voted in 22 presidential elections. She is survived by four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. In a post on the Acorn’s Facebook page, Benson’s grandson Kevin Major wrote: “She was truly a remarkable woman, with a heart and soul like no other. Her family and friends miss her terribly, but how fortunate we all were to have such an incredible person in our lives.” FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH—Spry until the end, Benson enjoyed reading mystery novels, playing bridge, assembling puzzles and dining with friends. “I like it here very much,” she said of University Village in 2016. “They really have a lot to offer. I’ve got lots of friends here.”  - Kyle Jorrey

John Hayes Major died about July, 2020, in California, at age 92. Buried in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo, Ventura Co., CA.

From: elfin.stone2

Sent: Friday, January 11, 2019 9:14 AM

To: leighlarson@tds.net