Mary Louise Benbow Paul, 97
Mary Louise Benbow Paul, daughter of Earl William Benbow and Clara Thomsen Benbow, was born Aug. 31, 1917, in Hersman, Illinois.
She passed away at age 97 on Aug. 18, 2015, at Willamette View Manor, Portland. Mary’s father, a Presbyterian minister, served churches in Hersman, Grundy Center and Sioux City, Iowa. During seventh grade her family moved to Seattle where her father became director of Westminister House, Presbyterian Center for University of Washington students. Mary graduated from the University of Washington in home economics.
Mary taught three years at Wasatch Academy, Presbyterian boarding school, Mount Pleasant, Utah. Here she met math teacher, Robert Paul. In 1943 while at Penn State as a graduate assistant, Mary and Robert Paul, United States Navy, were married by Mary’s father in Seattle. On completion of her Master of Science degree, Institution Food Management and Nutrition degree, Mary taught at Rhode Island State College and Providence Plantation.
World War II ended and Robert and Mary moved to New York City, Mary teaching home economics at a New York City Junior High School and Robert completing a master’s degree at Columbia University. A cross-country road trip to visit Mary’s parents resulted in teaching positions in McMinnville, Oregon — Robert at the high school and Mary as an assistant professor of foods and nutrition at Linfield College, retiring in 1975.
Mary and Robert had 66 years together. During this time they traveled in the U.S. and internationally. Some of the best times were the summers, beginning in 1947, spent at various ranger stations in Glacier National Park. Using the wood stove, Mary baked wonderful meals, including pie. She also did the washing in a bucket on the woodstove. Mary enjoyed the trails and wildflowers of Glacier Park during their 53 summers at Kintla, Bowman, Logging, Walton, East Glacier, Two Medicine, Many Glacier and Goathaunt ranger stations.
Mary was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, the American Home Economics Association, the Society for Nutrition Education, and Chapter Y of PEO. Mary was assistant Girl Scout leader for both her daughters’ troops. Mary will be remembered as a woman of firm faith who positively influenced those she came in contact with, especially her students. She loved all of God’s people throughout the world, and she readily contributed to causes that helped those in need.
Survivors include daughters, Janet Bones and husband Stan, and Nancy Trembath and husband Rick; grandchildren, Mac Bones, Jodie Bones Binger, Laura Trembath Pieri and Paula Trembath French; and three great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Paul; and her brothers, John Benbow, formerly of Florida, and Robert Benbow, formerly of Maryland.
A rite of remembrance service will be held at Willamette View Manor, Jan. 19, 2016, at 12705 SE River Road, Portland, Oregon, 97202.
Cremation has taken place by Macy and Son Funeral Home, McMinnville, Oregon with internment at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, Kalispell.
A special thank you goes to all of Mary’s caregivers and the Willamette View extended family.
Memorial gifts may be made to Church World Service or to a charity of the donor’s choice.