Mary Benson

Mary B. Benson, 89, of Cincinnati, formerly of Naples, FL, passed away October 19, 2025. She was born May 6, 1936, in New Kensington, PA, the daughter of Charles and Mary Braglio.

Beloved wife of the late Bennard "Ben" Benson. Dear sister of the late Jeanne Bradley. Loving mother of Joan (Charles) McConnell, Jr., Cincinnati, OH, and Mike (Carol) Benson, Oak Hill, VA. Cherished grandmother of Alex (Nathalie) McConnell, Ben McConnell, Scott (Leigh) Benson, Kevin Benson, Craig Benson, and great-grandmother of Jude, Zoe, and one more great-grandson on the way.

After graduating from high school in New Kensington, PA, she attended Allegheny College, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She married the love of her life, Ben, in 1957, and they spent the first years of their marriage at Wheelus Air Force Base in Tripoli, Libya. Upon returning to Pittsburgh and civilian life, they started a family while growing a commercial HVAC business. During that time, the family lived in Peters Township and Upper St. Clair.

Mary enjoyed many family adventures and hobbies. These included summer weekends spent waterskiing and boating at Cheat Lake in West Virginia, as well as activities at St. Clair Country Club, where she played golf and paddle tennis. She volunteered for the Alpha Chi Omega Alumni Association, was a skilled bridge player, and was a member of several book clubs. She and Ben traveled extensively in the US and abroad, especially on many cruises with longtime friends.

After Ben's retirement, they built a home and moved permanently to Bonita Springs, FL, eventually moving to Bentley Village Life Care Community in Naples. After Ben's passing in 2019, Mary moved to Cincinnati to be closer to family, where she lived and was lovingly cared for at the Ashton of Anderson. An avid football fan and lifelong Steelers supporter, she even learned to root for her new hometown Bengals team in the final years of her life!

There will be a private internment ceremony in Pittsburgh at a future date. The family suggests memorial contributions be mailed to Grace Hospice, 4435 Aicholtz Road, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45212.