Sandra Benson

Sandra Jo Benson (Petee) passed away at age 80 after a short illness on January 5, 2026 at Cedars-Sinai In Los Angeles with family by her side.

Sandra was born In Los Angeles on May 20, 1945 and spent her childhood in North Hollywood, California. She was the second of four children raised by Harriett Benson, a determined and optimistic single mother. The family moved to West Chicago when Sandra was 13 where she adjusted to small-town life with aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. After only a year the family moved to Opa-Locka, Florida where Petee finished high school, working part time caring for toddlers in a nursery school. This sparked her lifelong interest in early childhood development. She graduated from Sacramento State University, majoring in French and then she went on to study Montessori training at the College of Notre Dame in Belmont California. 

Sandra taught Montessori early education throughout the Bay Area in Sonoma, Marin Counties and in San Francisco. Eventually she joined the public school system in Redwood City, California advancing from teaching first grade to third grade. She developed enriching classroom experiences revolving around historical events & holidays, science projects, and reading enhancement. Her students were her first priority and she delighted in celebrating their achievements, rewarding them with classroom parties and prizes for excellence.

Sandra was previously married to Anthony Way, MD. and had two sons, Dylan and Christopher Way. Sandra primarily raised her family in Petaluma, California but she lived In Tomales Bay, Mill Valley and for a brief stint in London, UK.

Her happiest years were when she moved to Redwood City to be close to her mother, Harriett Benson and her sister Michelle Bedecarré. She loved to host family holiday celebrations and swimming parties at the community pool in the luxurious apartment complex where she lived.

Sandra retired in her mid 60s and moved to Marina del Rey, California, where she enjoyed biking by the beach, swimming and visiting nearby Venice and Santa Monica. She also continued to tutor children in reading and English. Eventually she moved to Burbank, CA to be closer to family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren Liam and Lainey Way, who were often visitors enjoying fun in the swimming pool with grandma.

Sandra's favorite vacation spot was Hawaii and luckily her son Dylan and his wife Melissa arranged for her to visit them in Kailua in November, just two months before her passing. She loved the views of a Ko'olau mountain range on the horizon, and the bright turquoise of the ocean. Every day brought a new wonder, and she returned with a couple of muu-muus.

She spent her last Christmas with the family of her son Chris, his wife Lauren Gadd, her two grandchildren, her nephew Evan Frank and his wife Heather Lugassy and their two children, Marlon and Soren. While opening presents she did FaceTime with family in Florida with sisters Diana Benson Frank and Michelle Bedecarré and nephew Max Frank.

Grief over her unexpected passing just five days after New Year's 2026 is tempered by memories of these events filled with joyful moments. Her positive and caring personality was felt by all who knew her. She had a strong sense of justice and morality and stood up for causes she believed in. She will be greatly missed for her wonderful ability to evaluate a situation and recommend of course of action.

She is predeceased by her mother Harriett Benson and her father Burton T. Benson. She is survived by her sons Christopher (Lauren) and Dylan (Melissa) Way, her sisters Michelle Bedecarré and Diana Benson Frank and her brother Mark Benson, as well as her two grandchildren Liam and Lainey Way, nephews Evan ( Heather) Frank, Max Frank, Brian (Tabatha) Benson, niece Jessica (Andrew) Press, great-nephews Marlon and Soren Lugassy Frank and great-niece Freya Benson.