Marilyn Y (Young) Benford

Marilyn Young Benford, 86 passed away peacefully in her home of 57-years on November 23, 2018.  Marilyn fought cancer courageously for the last three-years with the support of her loving children.

Marilyn was born on November 18, 1932 in Newport, RI to Louis and Emily Young.  She graduated from Rogers High School in 1950.  After high school she graduated from Nurses Training School at Roger Williams Hospital in Providence, RI.  She moved to Boston, MA and worked at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Marilyn successfully assisted in the second ever open-heart surgery performed.  While living in Boston, she attended many baseball games sitting in the bleachers at Fenway Park and became a lifelong Red Sox fan.

Marilyn returned to Rhode Island to marry her husband William Benford.  In 1961 they moved to Barrington and raised four children.  She was active in her children’s lives; serving as girl-scout leader, President of the Peck School PTA, Sunday school teacher, and attending her children’s sporting events.  She was a member of St. John’s Church in Barrington for 57-years, where she sang in the choir and volunteered in the administrative office for many years.

She enjoyed her annual family vacations in Narragansett, spending time on the beach watching her grandchildren.  Marilyn hosted many holiday gatherings welcoming her extended family to share in good company and her home cooked food.  She brought her family together to celebrate birthdays or watch her beloved Patriots.

Marilyn is pre-deceased by her husband William and is survived by four children; Debbi and her husband Bob Caliri of Barrington, Judy and her husband Mark Quella of Waltham, MA, Bill and his fiancé Jennifer Gray of Cumberland, and Andrew of West Warwick.  She is also survived by her four adoring grandchildren: Kara, Kaylyn, and Connor Caliri and Jake Benford.  She is additionally survived by her brother Don Young of Reading, Massachusetts along with an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.  Marilyn is pre-deceased by her brothers Louis Young Jr.,  and George (Buddy) Young, and her sister Barbara Esposito.

A service of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, November 28 at 10:00 am in St. John’s Church 191 County Road, Barrington with burial to follow at Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 28 at 8:00am from the Smith Mason funeral home at 398 Willett Ave. Riverside, RI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to St. Judes Children Hospital via www.stjudes.com.

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