Norma Lea Benson

Norma Lea Sargent Benson (89) of Mesa, Az; passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday September 30, 2023. Norma was born April 22, 1934 in Mission, Texas to Ruth (Gray) and Cecil Sargent. She spent most of her early years in San Antonio with her sisters and brother (Mary Helen, Cecil( Pat), Margaret and Suzie. She met her future husband Fred K. Benson, while he was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base. They married June 29, 1957 and soon moved to Canoga Park, California where they started their family. In 1972 the family moved to Fort Collins, CO; this is where Norma would always call home. She loved painting, photography, gardening and sewing, and always had a project in the works; clothing, hats, purses, etc. She was active in her church (Saint Elizabeth Seton) and worked tirelessly with the crafters group each year. When her children were younger they would camp throughout the west; however as they moved on, she and Fred began traveling throughout the US, Central America, the Caribbean and their favorite Europe. After Fred passed in 2002, she spent more time with her grandchildren and volunteering at her church. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Larry and Beverly Benson(Denver), Ken and Kim Benson(Mesa, AZ), Loretta and Steve Shaw (Loveland), and Sharon and Scott Garton(Hobe Sound, FL). Norma loved all of her grandchildren: Michael Benson, Travis Benson, Mark Carapella, Nicole Rivers, Jackie Benson, Mike Carapella, Daniel Shaw, Rob Shaw, and Devyn Garton. Her world changed with the birth of her first great grandchild and she loved being GGB (great grandmother) to Shane, Lillianna, Madalyn, and Charlotte; they were her greatest joy. Norma’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Eden Adult Care Home and Companion Hospice, both of Mesa, AZ, for the attentive and tender care they showed to mom the last 2 months. Services will be October 13 at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church, 5450 S. Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado. A Rosary will be held at 9:00 am, the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, followed by a reception in the hall. Burial will be at 1:00 pm at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 8426 US-287, Fort Collins, Colorado. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Companion Hospice, 1930 S. Alma School Road, Suite A103, Mesa, AZ 85210