WOBURN, Mass. – Marcia H. Benson, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Encompass Rehabilitation after a long illness. She was born Sept. 3, 1948, in Norway, the youngest daughter of Maurice and Aili (McKeen) Benson.

Growing up on the Benson family farm in the village of West Paris, her childhood was filled with pets and riding horses. Having two older sisters, Marcia was the mascot for their majorette and cheerleading teams for West Paris Schools, and played the saxophone in the school orchestra and band. She could often be seen riding along in the family’s business’s trucks, Benson’s Coal and Oil, or Woodlands, with her father, Maurice Benson. After graduation from West Paris High School, class of 1966, she attended Fisher Junior College, and was employed in Portland. In 1980 she obtained a Bachelor of Science from Medical College of Georgia, and worked in medical records departments for various medical facilities, making her home in Saugus, Mass., for over 30 years.

Marcia’s life’s passion was rescuing and fostering cats and dogs. She volunteered for several animal rescue organizations, Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Inc., Sweet Paws Rescue, and Basset Hound Rescue. Following retirement, Marcia walked dogs and provided pet sitting for many people. Marcia and her mother, Aili Benson, made many trips to Boothbay Harbor and Lubec to visit family friend Ellen Kelly. She traveled to England, Greece, China and Finland. She was an avid reader, loved the Beatles, saw several Rolling Stones concerts, enjoyed Boston, Mass. events, the North End, and was a Johnny Carson fan. Marcia grew colorful Zinnias to brighten her yard and neighborhood.

Marcia was instrumental in the donation of land in West Paris from the Benson Family to the Western Foothills Land Trust for conservation and public benefit to be held forever as undeveloped, natural and protected property.

Marcia was known as the “fun aunt” to her nieces and nephews, Tamara (Morey) Mitton (Rick), Kim (Strout) Thurston. Loring Strout Jr., Jeffrey Morey. and Tobin Morey (Brenda). She loved and enjoyed her 10 great-nieces, and great-great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her three dogs, Bennie, Scooby and Lars, she is survived by sisters Nancy (Benson) McKellick, (Alton) of South Paris, Maurise Benson of Bloomfield, Conn.; cousins Natalie (Polvinen) Parsons of Norway, and Terry (Poland) Merrill, of West Paris, and numerous other cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. Wayside Cemetery in West Paris. Following the service, please join the family in a celebration of life held at the Finnish-American Heritage Center located at Park Street, West Paris.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in Marcia’s memory to the Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Inc. of Wakefield, Mass., or National Multiple

Sclerosis Society.

Copy the Story Link