Roberta Benson

Bobbie was born in Buffalo, NY to Dorothy and Robert Benson. They loved her and they both went nuts. This afforded Bobbie a lot of freedom to explore her capabilities and believe in herself. She received great support from her paternal grandmother Ann Margaret Pauli Benson. She loved school and was a life long learner. She had a quest for world travel and embraced the notion that we're all citizens of planet earth. She believed that our similarities far out weigh our differences. She hopes that some day all the other inhabitants of the earth will share this view. She is survived by her two sons who she adored: Tavin and Noah Dille. She felt proud that they turned out to be such amazing men...kind, funny, ambitious and loving. She is also survived by her ex-husband Michael Dille. He sometimes made her crazy, but he was smart and funny and made the ride through life exciting when they were together. She had three wonderful sisters: Barbara Toggow, Martay Breeze and Carolyn Benson. They always shared a deep love and respect for each other. Her daughter-in-law Marcie was very dear to her and her beloved grandchildren: Emerson and Laura Dille. Bobbie would like to be remembered for her creativity and her sense of adventure and humor. She loved to make her art, whether it was hand made books, Barbie Storytellers, paintings or any other assorted endeavor. She loved all the years she taught. Turns out she liked serving others. It was her way of saying thanks to her grandmother, who served her all those many years ago. She also had a great love of the planet. Starting in 2014, she dedicated her energies toward helping to work toward a solution that could address climate change. She was active in Citizens' Climate Lobby. In lieu of flowers, and in Bobbie's honor, we ask that you do something kind, considerate or generous, for someone you know, or someone you don't know, expecting nothing in return. Please attend an art show featuring Bobbie's work from over the years. Wine will be served and toasts can be made. Friendships were a very important part of Bobbie's life. Be happy you knew her when she was alive. (This obituary was written by Bobbie Benson in January 2011, as part of an exercise with her book club when they read "Age-ing to Sage-ing". It was revised slightly in December 2014.)