Dorothy G. Benjamin

MAYVILLE- Dorothy G. Benjamin of Mayville passed away on December 18, 2020 in St. Vincent hospital at 100 years old. She was born, January 14, 1920 the daughter of Rachel and Earl Gibbs in the Town of Chautauqua on Mount Pleasant road at the home of her grandmother.   

     She grew up on Morris road, and attended district #4 one room school for her elementary years finishing her high school years and graduating from Mayville high school in 1937.

     Dorothy lived most of her life in the Town of Chautauqua working on the family farms. During grape harvest season she and other family members would work at Welches in Westfield. During her teenage years and later she worked as a housekeeper in Chautauqua Institution before season getting rooming houses ready and during season cleaning and maintaining rooms. Dorothy also worked for the Kling family of Mayville as a nanny and housekeeper forming a special bond with the family that lasted her entire life. She would travel with them to Florida where she would marry her husband Horace, her high school sweetheart, who was stationed there with the Army. After his time in the service they moved back to Mayville living on the family farm on Chautauqua-Stedman road until they purchased their home on Hewes road in the Town of Chautauqua where they lived and raised their family. Dorothy was a stay at home mom until later in life when she worked as cashier in the cafeteria at Turner Elementary of the Chautauqua School district the job she entered her retirement years from.

      With family support she was able to live in her home until a few days before her passing. She enjoyed any time spent with family. Mom had a very fulfilling life with many stories from her childhood and traveling the USA with her husband and their family.

      Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Horace in 2005, her brother Erlyn and her sister Arlene. Dorothy is survived by her son Kenneth (Mary) of Salem, Oregon, daughter Phyllis (John) Wiltsie of Marion, North Carolina and son Robert (Susan) of Mayville. She is survived by 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews who she held dear to her heart. She will be missed by all.

     Thank you to the Braun’s for keeping the driveway open in the winter, the neighborhood for checking on Mom, Donna Erickson for making her feel pretty and Andriaccio’s for hosting many birthday dinners including her 100th. Thank you to all the doctors and nurses who did their best for Mom.

      Freay Funeral Home will be handling arrangements for a grave side service for family members at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood, NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Memorials may be made to the Mayville Boy Scout Troop 126, Chautauqua Fire Department or an animal shelter of your choice

         To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com