Barbara (Brown) Benfield

Barbara (Brown) Benfield, of Needham, on April 10, 2013. Beloved wife of Peter B.
Benfield with whom she shared 51 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Susan
Benfield and her late husband Rob Sain of St. Paul, MN, David Benfield and his
wife Elaina of Boston, and Heather Benfield of Los Angeles, CA. Loving
grandmother who cherished Allison, Zachary, Matthew, Serena, and Zara. Dear
sister of Muriel Myerson and her husband Jerry of Wellesley. Barbara was unique
both to her family and friends and had a great love of life and learning. She
was a first rate molecular biology scientist at M.I.T. but also had “street
smarts” and was savvy about people. Barbara’s love of teaching led her to
become a great mentor to many female students at Mt. St. Joseph’s Academy in
Brighton where she was much beloved. A service to celebrate Barbara’s life will
be held at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave. Boston (parking on The Riverway),
on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM. Interment in Needham Cemetery. Memorial
observance will be at her home  Sunday 1:30-4:30 pm and  Monday
4:00-8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to
the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701, or Barbara’s alma
mater, UMass Amherst, c/o Janet Muzzy ’05, Director of Stewardship and Donor
Relations, Memorial Hall, 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003, or a charity of
one’s own choosing.