Sally Jane Benson

Sally Benson, 83, formerly of 14 Brookline St, Nashua died Saturday May 3, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua following a period of declining health. She was born on October 25, 1924 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of the late Joseph Feld and Alice Gunnarson. She was raised and educated in the New York City area. Sally attended Yale University. She was a resident of Nashua for the past 52 years moving from NY. Early in her career she worked as a draftsman in the New York area. For several years she had worked as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Later Sally, along with her husband, formed the Mycological Society of NH and would teach courses at Pinkham Notch on mushroom identification. She would also be called upon by hospitals, medical professionals and others for her knowledge of mushrooms. She was also a devoted homemaker and mother. Sally enjoyed dancing, singing and music. She played the zither. She was a very social person. Sally spoke Swedish and was a member of basa, a scandinavian cultural organization. She had also bred Siamese cats over the years. She was a member of the First Church of Nashua for many years Sally was predeceased by her husband, Arne Benson, daughter, Patricia Benson, her son, Eric Benson and her brother Robert Ohlsson. She is survived by her daughter, Jan Benson of Nashua; 3 grandchildren, Angela J. Mesita of Nashua, Jeffrey Mesita of Minnesota and Joby Paul Benson of New York; 2 great grandchildren, Dylan Mesita and Elaina Benson; brothers, John Allan Ohlsson of Farmingdale, NY, Leonard Ohlsson of Daytona Beach, FL and Richard Ohlsson of Nesconset, Long Island; sisters, Alice M. Tatum of Brentwood, Long Island and Sonja Konlande of Virginia Beach, VA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Her time of gathering will be held at the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St, Manchester on Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00PM. With her Funeral Service at follow at 4:00PM in the Funeral Home. Interment will be private. Donations can be made in Sally's memory to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry Rd, Nashua, NH 03064.