Frances Miriam Egan Benson

ALBANY – Frances Miriam (Egan) Benson passed away at St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, after a long illness. She was 91.  Frances was born in Chazy, New York to the late Doris (MacKenney) and John W. Egan. She was raised in Dannemora, New York. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1963 from State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Frances worked as a supervisor for New York Telephone Company, a home economist and food stamp outreach coordinator for Albany County Department of Social Services, and social services representative for New York State Department of Social Services.  She retired in 1987.

In 1965, Frances married John H. Benson. Frances and John lived in Albany until moving to Venice, Florida in 1992. They made many friends in Florida and were active congregants of the Epiphany Cathedral Catholic Church in Venice.  In 2002, Frances and John returned to Albany and lovingly refurbished the house on Homestead Street, next to St. Margaret Mary’s Church (now All Saints Catholic Church). John passed away in 2004 and Frances remained in the house until she moved to Atria Shaker in 2015.

Frances was kind and generous. She was devoted to her faith. She loved cats, visiting with friends, music and gardening.  She will be missed by many.

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Frances was predeceased by her siblings Esther Carrier, Doris Breyette, Ruth Shambo, John C. Egan, Elinor and Alice Egan, and her brothers-in-law Oril Breyette, Jr., and John Shambo.  She is survived by her brother and his wife Richard and Frances Egan; her sister-in-law Virginia Egan, and many cherished nieces and nephews and extended family members.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Zimmerman, Dr. Kowal, and the staff and pastoral care volunteers at St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent and devoted care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. in All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St. (behind CVS), Albany.  Relatives and friends are invited.  There will be no calling hours.  Those who wish to do so may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY  12205, alz.org/northeasternny, or to All Saints Catholic Church, 12 Rosemont St., Albany, NY 12203.

Click here to view Frances’ resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Section 40, Lot 40, Menands, New York 12204.