Mary Jane Halpin Benson died peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at her home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She was born in Chicago, on Oct. 26, 1924, married John William Benson on June 8, 1946, in Chicago, was a resident of Lake Zurich, Il. for over 50 years.
Mary was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich since 1952. She served on the Church Council, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was a member of the Women’s Guild. A lifelong believer in the value of education and giving back to the community Mary volunteered at Seth Paine Elementary School, was a member of the Ela Historical Society, served as a volunteer and was on the board of the Good Shepherd Hospital Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Lamb Halpin and Luana Shoop Halpin; her only brother, John Robert Halpin and her husband.
She is survived by her son James Alan (Carla) Benson and their daughter, Sara Benson; daughter, Janet Benson (Donn) Pickett and their children, Jessica (Parker) Lyons, and William Pickett; and daughter, Jill Ralph, and her children, James (Shannon) Ralph and Joshua Ralph.
There will no service or visitation at the funeral home.
The family will gather privately to celebrate Mary’s life.
Visit www.heritage.com to share words of comfort to the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter United Church of Christ, 47 Church Street, Lake Zurich, Il. 60047, or to Ela Historical Society and Museum, 95 East Main Street, Lake
Zurich, Il. 60047.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home., 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.