Area mourns death of education advocate Marda Benson, 92

    Marda Benson, 92, the first woman to serve on the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education, died at her Plymouth home Feb. 4.

    Mrs. Benson, who served as president of the school board for two years during her four-year elected term, was a dedicated advocate for education and taught courses on racism and sexism at Wayne State University to help educate future generations. Her death came one day before her 93rd birthday.
    Her educational journey began at Eastern Michigan University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While pursuing her degrees, she met and married the love of her life, Paul Benson. She supported her husband as he completed his medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School. Following his graduation, the couple started their family and were the parents of nine children. Their love story was cut short in 1971 when Dr. Paul Benson died at the age of 40 in a traffic accident. Mrs. Benson was left a widow with nine children under the age of 12.
    At the age of 52, Mrs. Benson embarked on a successful second career as a real estate agent. For nearly 40 years, she was a well-known and highly respected agent in the community. Her family said that Mrs. Benson truly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, reading, and traveling.
    During her career as a real estate agent, Mrs. Benson continued to be an advocate for education, using her knowledge to educate future generations. Mrs. Benson made history when she was the first woman ever elected to the Plymouth Canton school board. Her leadership in that role established her as a trailblazer and a role model for many who followed her example of activism. She was outspoken in her beliefs, especially about education and gender equality, her family said.
    Mrs. Benson was born in Detroit to the late Ethel (née Lundgren) and Howard Jessop. She is survived by her nine children, Paul Benson, Jr., Kristin (Roman) Benson, Kara (Paul) Benson-Perez, Nels (Sonia) Benson, Maia (Katie) Burgoon-Benson, Lars (Kathleen) Benson, Per Benson, Maren (Charles) McKolay, and Kirsti (Udai) Rabban; grandchildren Paul (Katie) Benson, III, Morgan Benson, Krista Benson, Roman (Haley) Benson, Perry Benson, Paris Benson-Perez, Jack Benson, Brittany (Alex) Romano, Drew Benson Peters, Mara (Jeff) Baxter, Haley (Justin) Morrison, Riley Benson, Per Benson, Jr., Summer and Sydney Benson, Charles McKolay, Jr., Ava Rabban, Alexander Rabban, Vaughn Marda Burgoon, and eight great-grandchildren.
    Visitation will take place at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 S. Main St, Plymouth from 4 until 8 p.m. Sunday Feb. 16. Funeral services are planned from 10 until 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Arborcrest Memorial Park in Ann Arbor.
    Memorial contributions in Mrs. Benson’s name can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital, 2000 Town Center, Suite 1730, Southfield, MI 48075.