Obituary of Jean Benfield
Elaine Jean Benfield of Amisk, Alberta passed away on July 13, 2018 at the age of 91 years. She was the loving mother of Craig (Molly) Benfield of St. Albert and of Kim Benfield of Calgary; grandmother to David (Liz) Benfield of Calgary and Justin Richards of Orlando, Florida; great-grandmother to Siona Benfield of Calgary. She is survived by her sister Dorene Robinson who shared her Amisk home for the last 17 years, and her brother Don Dent of Cranbrook BC. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews and their families in BC, AB, and SK.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Lewis Benfield in 2001 and her brother Ralph Dent in 2017.
Jean grew up in Saskatoon, SK, attended normal school, married Lew and moved to Alberta, ending up in Amisk in1952. She taught in Amisk for 33 years calling it a “joy”. As well, she and Lew added to their town lots and their gardening prowess grew. Growing up in the thirties in Saskatchewan, vegetable gardening was a necessity for her. She loved her flowers too and the garden was always full of gorgeous blossoms. The tea was always on when you visited Jean and many cups were shared in her beautiful yard or around the kitchen table. She and Dorene continued the gardens after Lew passed but never could get corn to grow the way he could. She loved reading and was very active in the Amisk library. Many of her books will now reside on their shelves.
She enjoyed cooking and her relatives benefited from her delicious suppers and a bounty of Christmas goodies each year. She took up painting with pastels and her family has some wonderful keepsakes. Sewing was also a creative outlet for her – Molly’s wedding outfit and a whole wardrobe for she and Dorene for their Alaska cruise – to name a few. She took great pleasure in her pets and enjoyed the individual personalities of her dogs and cats.
Jean was a positive person to whom family and friends were a high priority. She told us that they weren’t sure about the move to Amisk but that the people of the community were the reason they stayed. Jean’s friends and neighbours in Amisk were a great help to her and Dorene, particularly over the last number of years.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Hardisty Health Centre for their care of Jean over the last 7 months. Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial will be held. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made in honour of Jean to the Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary, Box 661, Hardisty, AB T0B 1V0 or to the Central Alberta Humane Society, cahumane.com.
