Gladys Benner

FAIRFIELD – Gladys Benner, 102, passed away peacefully on the morning of Nov. 12, 2024.

Gladys was born in Benton on Feb. 5, 1922, to Almon and Lelia (Clifford) Chamberlain. When she was 1 ½ years old she went to live with her grandparents, Horace and Edith Clifford and remained with them throughout her childhood.

On Feb. 5, 1949, she married Harlan “Bud” Benner. Together they raised two children and a granddaughter. They were married for 57 years before Bud’s death in 2006.

Gladys worked in many places, including a creamery, woolen mills and a chair factory. Her last place of employment was Sunset Flowerland and Greenhouse. She retired early from there to help care for her grandchildren.

Her true calling was that of a caregiver. She cared for neighbors, family and friends and always had her door open to anyone that needed her. She was a shoulder to cry on and a voice of reason.

She attributed her sharp mind and wit to daily games of solitaire and pages of crossword puzzles. She loved her flower garden, birdwatching, political shows and knitting hundreds of pairs of mittens over the years. She made the best molasses cookies and grilled cheese sandwiches.

In May of 2019, she received the Boston Cane from the Town of Fairfield for being the ‘Oldest Resident’.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bud; her sisters Lucille Hamm, Edith Robinson, June Fowler, Helen Gurney, Thelma Amy and Pauline Chamberlain; two brothers, Ernest Chamberlain and Almon Chamberlain, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Benner and her partner Fred Rockwell, her son, Darrell Benner; her grandchildren, Pamela Fortin and her husband, Allan, Harlan Benner and his wife, Tanya, Rachel Benner and her partner, John Pierce, her great-grandchildren, Madelyn McKenzie and her husband, Brody, Jackson Fortin, Hannah Benner and Jacob Benner; her two great- great-grandsons, Samuel and Harrison McKenzie; a sister, Christine Ravin; and many nieces, nephews; extended family members and a dear friend, Kitty Leary.

An informal graveside service/burial will be held at Maple Wood Cemetery in Fairfield, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m.

The family would like to thank the many in-home caregivers, the nurses and doctors at MaineGeneral (Rehab floor) and the attentive staff at Glen Ridge Nursing Home in Augusta for their comfort and care.

Services are in the care of Veilleux Redington Lawry Brothers Funeral Home. An online guest book can be signed at vrlfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers please make donations to this cause, as she was proud to donate to them often:

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

501 St. Jude’s Place

Memphis, TN 38105