Laurie E. Benton
July 4, 1951 ~ September 7, 2022
Laurie E. (Brown) Benton, 71, of Beverly, formerly of Peabody, died Wednesday, September 7, 2022, following a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife and high school sweetheart of the late Nelson K. Benton, longtime editor of the Salem News.
Born in Beverly on July 4, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Eleanor (Shinnick) Brown. She was raised and educated in Danvers and was a 1969 graduate of Danvers High School. Laurie then studied at the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1972.
A longtime educator in the Salem public schools, Laurie retired from the Collins Middle School where she was loved by students and colleagues alike.
In 2012, she and her late husband of 46 years relocated to Surprise, AZ, where she enjoyed golf and playing mahjong with her friends.
Laurie loved to travel—especially with her family—who were her greatest joy.
She leaves two sons, Todd Benton and his wife Erin of Surprise, AZ and Timothy Benton and his wife Laurie of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, four grandchildren, Eliana, Emilee, T.J., and Brady Benton, her brother, Richard Brown and his wife Lisa of Danvers, his sister, Lindsey Maihos and her husband Donald of Conway, NH, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 4-6PM. Relatives and friends are invited. All other services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Laurie’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. To share an expression of sympathy with her family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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I was so happy to spend time with Laurie during her time in Massachusetts. I sincerely appreciated the kindness she showed to my Mother as they were both Residents at Colonial Garden in Beverly. My Brother and Sister In Law, Rich and Lisa Brown adored her and were well known for taking good care of her. God Bless.
A sympathy card was purchased for the family of Laurie E. Benton.
We met Laurie and Nelson when they lived at Trilogy at Vistancia in Peoria, Az. Two of the nicest people we have known. We really enjoyed getting together to watch Tom Brady and the Patriots play on Sunday afternoons.It was a ritual with us. May she and Nelson both rest in peace.
Paul and Anna Bernard
The Larrabee family has fond memories of all the Fenwick activities shared with Laurie and Nelson, when our children were in high school. Laurie had an endless supply of energy , a great sense of humor and was always fun to be with. We send prayers and sympathy to Tim and Todd and their families at this sad time.
Todd and Tim and family,
My sincere condolences both in the passing of Lauri and Nelson. Remember
the great times.
George T. O’Brine
My memories of Laurie and Nelson go back to high school – pool parties, sleepovers, double dating and hours on the phone. I remember fondly the New Years eve parties my husband and I spent with Laurie, Nelson and other friends. Laurie and Nelson were very special people!