Juanita Benson

Our dear mother died of natural causes this spring, aged 91. Juanita was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 15, she won a full scholarship to the University of Chicago earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. She met and married William Mansfield; they had 4 children together, Evelyn, Dianna, Elaine and Stan, raised in Colorado and California. The family moved to Livermore in 1962. Juanita continued her education beginning in 1963 at Hayward State College. She achieved a Masters degree in Mathematics 1967 graduating with top honors. She was employed by Sandia Laboratories for 27 years as a computer programmer teamed with physicists and engineers. In 1988, she married Paul Benson. Both were active in their church. In retirement, she was an avid reader, enjoyed back-packing, camping, hiking and being the family matriarch. She loved the holidays and grand family gatherings. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul, and is survived by her four children, 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, October 8, 2 P.M. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue, Livermore.