ALBERTA BENSON

BENSON ALBERTA DANIELE BENSON On November 26, 2021, Alberta Daniele Benson passed away peacefully at her home in Albuquerque, NM with family by her side. Born on April 3, 1942 in Padova, Italy, Alberta devoted her life, love and energy to her family and friends. She and her younger sister spent most of their childhood and school years in Padova, the Lido di Venezia and the Italian Alps. Intensely curious and adventurous from a young age, Alberta grew into a lifelong student of literature, music, art, philosophy, languages, politics, foreign cultures and world affairs. During her college years at l'Universita di Padova, she taught Italian to foreign exchange students and spent a year abroad obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Her return trip home from "U Dub" took her through Asia and the Middle East further growing her love of travel which she did extensively for the rest of her life - many of those trips with her dear family and friends. While at university, she met the love of her life and husband of 53 years, Stuart Edward Benson, while he was studying in Padova for his junior year of college. Alberta graduated from l'Universita in 1968 with a degree in Scienze Politiche. After their wedding and a stint in Italy while Stuart was in the Army, Alberta moved to Berkeley, CA, USA for Stuart's law school years and then on to Chevy Chase, MD and Washington, DC which became their home for 46 years. Alberta then dedicated her incredible energy and time to her two sons and several of their school's organizations including co-chairing the St. Albans School Altar Guild and helping out with the annual Christmas House Tours. Alberta was also deeply committed to contributing to the DC community which led her to volunteering for the Child Health Center Board at Children's National Hospital. Later, she consulted for International Development Business Consultants, a Washington, DC-based firm that advised its clients on international business contracts. In each of her endeavors, she brought unique insights, perspectives and humor that she developed over her many years of studies, travel and observation. Alberta adored her five grandchildren and her grand nieces and nephews in the US and Europe and they all knew how thoroughly proud she was of each of them. Her friendships were also incredibly dear to her with many going back to her school days as well as long and wonderful relationships developed on her many travels. One of the greatest joys of her life was taking family trips to Italy - she loved introducing her grandchildren to the history, culture, art and food of her childhood haunts in the Veneto. But Alberta was happiest of all simply spending time with and surrounded by her beloved family. Alberta is survived by her loving husband, Stuart Edward Benson; her sons, Geoffrey Stuart Benson of Darien, CT (Katie) and Eric Charles Benson of Albuquerque, NM (Clarissa); her five grandchildren, Charles Clymer Benson, Paige Catherine Benson, William Stuart Benson, Hazel Nell Krinsky and Cecily Carter Benson; and her sister, Daniela Daniele Forteleoni of Miami, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alberta's name may be made to Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, NM, https://www.aa.edu/support/. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alberta's name may be made to Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, NM, https://www.aa.edu/support/.