Celebration of Life: 3:00 – 6:00p.m., Sunday, October 8, 2017
Location: 106 James River Drive, Newport News, VA 23601
Queen Mary Benson passed to her Savior from her home in Newport News, surrounded by her family on October 5, 2017, after a brief hospitalization.
Queenie, as she was known to her family, was born in New York City’s East Side. As a child, she learned English on the streets of New York because the Armenian language of her parents was the only language spoken at home. Queenie enjoyed her life as a homemaker, raising her two sons and serving her family and others. There was always a place for friends at her table. When a cadre of scientists came to Newport News from Armenia in the 1990’s to work at CEBAF, Taku, as she would be known among them, was instrumental in getting them settled in the city. Many times they would gather at her home for food and socialization, her home becoming known as the ‘Armenian Embassy’. It was from these activities that Alice Ananian became her goddaughter and an endearment to Queenie and her husband.
Queenie is survived by David Benson, her husband of 59 years; their two sons, Peter Benson and his wife, Carol of Culpeper, VA and Daniel Benson and his wife, Sheila of Gardner, CO; goddaughter, Alice Ananian of Yerevan, Armenia; and two grandchildren, Emma Benson and Ethan Benson. She is also survived by her brothers, Armand Arabian and John Arabian; and two sisters, Florence Maghakian and Sandra Morton.
The family will receive friends and celebrate her life at her home at 106 James River Drive from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 8, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. James Armenian Church, 834 Pepper Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.