SACO -Verna Benson Dow. age 90, passed away quite suddenly, but after a period of declining health. on Thursday, January 16, 2020. She was born in Hollis on November 21, 1929, a daughter of the late Cecil and Beatrice (Weeman) Benson. Verna was raised in Hollis and graduated from Hollis High School. She had many wonderful memories, that she shared with her children, of growing up in Turkey Lane with her loving parents, her sisters and brother. Family was always very important in the Benson home.
She retired from Saunder Brothers in Westbrook after 25+ years, then continued to work caring for folks so they could remain in their homes.
Verna was a dedicated mother to her six children....Bill, Nancy, Steve, Jerry, Dottie and Lisa. She loved being a grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed country and bluegrass music and in her retirement years enjoyed Bluegrass Festivals throughout Maine. She also enjoyed trying her hand at painting and rug hooking. She looked forward to family functions, traveling, concerts and spending time with her beloved family and friends. Probably most of all she enjoyed being able to do things for others. Verna had a wonderful sense of humor and always enjoyed a good laugh. She would say "I think I got that from Dad." She had a close relationship with her sisters and brother. Her sisters visited with her frequently, sharing memories and laughter.
She was predeceased by her son, Stephen, who passed away in 2016. Her sister, Alice Whitehouse, who passed away in 2014 and her brother, Cecil "Bill" Benson, who passed away in 2015. Verna is survived by her sons Bill Dow of Scarborough and his significant other, Beth Sutherland of Daytona Beach, Fl. and Jerry Dow of Covina, Ca. and her daughters Nancy Wakefield and her husband Tony of Limington, Dottie Benson-Morton and her husband David of Waterboro and Lisa Geyer of Buxton. She had numerous beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Verna is also survived by her 3 sisters- Marion Roberts of Waterboro, Maxine Whitehouse of Hollis and Tootsie Johnson and her husband Charlie of Hollis.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 24th, from 3-5 PM and the funeral on Saturday January 25, 2020 at 2 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road, Buxton. Burial will be at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in the spring. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
Hollis Center Church
Attn: food pantry
PO Box 180
Hollis, Maine 04042