Obituary of Rosemary H. Benson

Rosemary Hart Benson, age 104, passed away on January 26, 2025 at her home on Cleveland Place, her residence since 1950.
A life-long area resident, she was born in Utica on October 31,1920 the 2nd child of Thomas Roy and Agnes Doyle Hart.  Born on her own mother’s birthday she had fond memories of her early years growing up on Kossuth Ave in Utica and was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Proctor High School in 1938 and later going on to attend the Excelsior School of Business. On February 20,1950 at St. John’s Evangelist church in New Hartford, she married James F. Benson who pre-deceased her in 2011, a union of 61 years.

Rosemary was employed at Utica Radiator for several years before leaving to raise her three children.  Rosemary retired from Clinton Central School where she enjoyed serving as secretary to several junior and senior high school principles. As a devout Catholic her rosary was never far, and her faith was even closer.  She was proud to be a parishioner at St. Mary’s in Clinton and was active many years with the Christ Child Society and a past recipient of the Eleanor Nelson award recognizing her volunteer efforts with the St. Elizabeth Guild. She was a gentle woman thankful for her longevity and a lifetime of good health.

Rosemary was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast.  She enjoyed her many years at the Skenandoa Club and could hold her own at any bridge table and particularly looked forward to her Tuesday game at Alteri’s. A genuinely nice and loving person Rosemary was a caring and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter Mary (Robert) Byrd of New Hartford; sons James R. of Clinton, Michael H. of Latham; her grandchildren Andrew Byrd, Kevin Byrd (Ava), Carrie Benson (Jose Pinedo), Brian (Laura) Benson and great grandsons Nicholas and Benjamin, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, James: siblings Roy (Alice) Hart, Jane (Lewis) Smith, Jack (Rosemary) Hart, Kathryn (Seward) Dawes, Margaret (David) Gossin, and Thomas Hart.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday January 31st at St. Mary’s Church, Marvin St. Clinton beginning at 10:30.

The family will receive friends at the conclusion of mass.  

Arrangements by the RP Heintz Funeral Home, 10 E. Park Row, Clinton, NY 13323.