Ann Benton: Tough, Feisty, Fun and, Above All, Kind

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Mary Anne Branstetter Benton was born on August 24, 1933, the daughter of Prescott and Helen Branstetter. On the morning of October 2, 2018, surrounded by her family, she left this earth.

Ann grew up in both Capetown and Fernbridge, was in one of the last classes of the Capetown School, and in 1951 married her high school sweetheart, Calvin Benton. They raised their four children together in Fortuna and later on the family ranch at Fernbridge.

After raising their children, Ann worked for many year as receptionist and assistant to Dr. Robert Ballinger and until her retirement for Dr. John Poovey.

After retiring, Ann appreciated a good road trip, hunting down antiques along the way that Calvin swore they had no chance of getting into the truck. She travelled with Calvin and friends and across the states and distant places. She was a woman up for an adventure. She was a live-long book addict, reading under the covers with a flashlight as a child and continuing her love of books and reading all of her adult life.

Ann’s life was about commitment and love. She treasured her parents, loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and even one great-great grandchild. She especially loved her brothers Phil and Bill, with whom she showed great patience.

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthdays, wedding showers, baby showers, or just our regular huge family dinners, nothing was beyond Ann’s willingness to share her home and her time with family, extended family and friends. She opened her heart and her home to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, spent time them, babysat them, disciplined them – they adored her, she adored them.

There was a lot to this woman. She endured personal loss and great tragedy. She was tough, she was feisty, she was fun, she did not suffer fools, but above all, she was kind.

Ann will be missed by her family and friends in a way hard to express in words.

God Bless her. God Speed.

Ann is survived by her husband of 67 years, Calvin, her children Sandra Chase (Dennis), Mike Benton (Joyce), Steve Benton (Debbie); her grandchildren Dennis Chase Jr., Sara Chase Gossi, Jessica Benton Stokesberry, Jason Benton, Tiffany Benton Mikos, Michelle Hayward Quattlebaum, Matt Hayward and Johnathan Benton; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Ann was preceded and death by her parents Prescott and Helen Branstetter, her son David and her brother Phil Branstetter.

Graveside services will be conducted Saturday October 6th at 11 a.m., at the Newberg Cemetery in Fortuna.

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Meredith
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Meredith
5 years ago

My sweet Ann. I shall miss you forever. RIP my dearest friend. Meredith

Ginger seyler
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Ginger seyler
5 years ago

To all of Ann’s wonderful family, my deepest condolences. such a treasure. Always welcoming and fun. She treated averyone like family. Even a little outsider like me!
I’ll always have a warm little place in my heart for her.
Love, ginger

CAROL -
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CAROL -
5 years ago

you had a good run ma’am, rest in peace

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago

Long ago she was my beloved kindergarden teacher at redway elementary in the eighties… my memories of her are to this day filled with adoration and love. She gave so much to each child in her class and I will forever cherish her. My prayers go out to friends and family as well as all she touched in life…. all my love.

Sparkle Mahn
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5 years ago

Condolences to the bereaved. Rest in peace, Ms. Benton.

Doug and Lulu Williams
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We send our love and thoughts to the family at this sad time of loss. Ann was a remarkable woman and an inspiration.