Dr. Jane W. Benson

Benson, Dr. Jane W.

Bainbridge: Dr. Jane W. Benson, 87, died Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at her home in Bainbridge. She was born March 25, 1926, in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late William and Florence Whallon. She married Kenneth W. Benson on February 7, 1948. He predeceased her on January 2, 2011. She is survived by her eight children, Karen & Gary Nearpass of Clyde, NY, Carmel (Kim) & Robert Normand of Gloucester, MA, Tracey & Gary Smith of Bainbridge, Allison & Daryl Smith of Walton, Lesley & Ronald Brown of Greene, Kirk & Carolyn Benson of Gloucester, MA, Scott & Cheryl Benson of Walton, and Kristyn & Robert DeGroat of Bainbridge; 30 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; a brother, William Whallon of Sidney; a sister, Ruth DeWitt of Cleveland, NY; and many nieces and nephews. Jane was a pioneer for woman veterinarians. She graduated for Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1947, one of four women in her class. In 1949, Ken & Jane settled in Bainbridge and began a 60 year career as veterinarians, serving many tri town residents from their local office. In her long career, Jane worked on all types of animals: wrestling with large dairy cows as a young, busy veterinarian to a myriad of small animals later in her years in Bainbridge, at the same time raising eight children. She was a member of the Bainbridge Guilford Board of Education for 15 years. She was on the Board of directors of the United Methodist Home for the aging for 12 years. Her love of singing led her to share her talents with the church choir, Tri Town Theatre and the Binghamton Downtown Singers. Jane was a member of the Bainbridge United Methodist Church, volunteering as the Treasurer, choir director, and for the soup kitchen and food pantry. She also volunteered as Girl Scout leader, delivered Meals on Wheels, and for hospice. She, along with Ken, was very involved with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, having been a part of it from its inception. Popcorn, soft drinks, and cotton candy were her specialty. She even competed and finished the 70 mile race a couple of times. In 2002, she was recipient of the First Lady of the Year award by the Beta Sigma Phi. During her life, she traveled to Africa a number of times. In 1968, she spent a year with her whole family in Ghana where she assisted her husband as a professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ghana. In 1974, she traveled to Tanzania to evaluate Rotary's Heifer Project. In 1982, she traveled back to Ghana to evaluate the Rotary Well Project. Later she accompanied the Rotary's GSE team in Nigeria. A memorial service will be held at the Bainbridge United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 5, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 27 North Main St., Bainbridge, NY 13733. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.