Obituaries

 

Margarette "Obee" Benjamin

Passed 12/20/2019

Text:

Obituary For Margarette "Obee" Benjamin

Obee, aged 97, died at home in her sleep December 20, 2019. Born in Tatsfield, England, as the only child to Leonard and Dorothy Obee. She came to Canada on a British Schoolgirls Cricket Tour of Canada through Roedean School in 1939 when war broke out and it was decided she would be safer here than going home to England. She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick Remby Benjamin. She is survived by her five children: Judith Cookey, Dartmouth; David Benjamin (Elizabeth), Beaverbank; Robin Benjamin (Tom Daly), Crousetown; Bruce Benjamin (Pamela), Dartmouth; Nikki Benjamin, Zealand, NB; as well as 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. In her own words, written shortly before she died, “I have had a wonderful life, most of which I couldn’t have conceived in my childhood. My path was radically diverted by the outbreak of W.W. 2, but the changes it caused made my adult life so very happy, in a new country where I immediately felt at home in a sense I had never had as a child. I got married to a wonderful husband; we had a large and awesome family - all as different from each other, and each one so interesting in themselves. We are, like Canada, a multi-racial lot, and I’m proud of that, and of each of you.

The family will be holding an open house 'Celebration of Life' for Obee on January 18, 2020 from 2-4pm at Oakwood House in Dartmouth, NS. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Obee’s name to North Woodside Community Centre, or any other worthy charity.

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Condolences

  • 01/14/2020

    I am very sorry to learn of Obee’s passing. She obviously lived a wonderful long life. My late husband and I Square Danced with Obee and Fred for many years. Sincere condolences to all of Obee’s family.

  • 01/14/2020

    I have so many favourite memories of Mum Obee, it is hard to choose. I have been part of the Benjamin clan for 54 years. Obee was Mum to me; I am married to her eldest son, David. Since my retirement six years ago. Mum and I spent many good days together, especially Tuesdays when we went quilting together at the North Woodside Community Centre, followed by shopping, lunches, etc., I told Mum these were "Tuesdays with Obee" vs Tuesdays with Morrie, a favourite play of ours. For the past 25 years, I have enjoyed many, many plays with Mum - she loved theatre - I think she has seen every play ever written. Mum taught me so much - she knew so much about everything. I am still learning from her in death - she gave me poems she had written to be typed up for family and many of the stories she told me are in these poems, one I was unaware of was that she had aspirations of being a writer in earlier days. Thank you, Dave, for giving me such a beautiful mother in law. Mum had a long wonderful life, she was active and alert almost to the end . She is deeply missed by all her family. Love to all. E(Liz)abeth Benjamin

  • 01/08/2020

    I enjoyed getting to know Obee, your Mom, on our visits together roughly every six weeks. She was a creative, kind, and witty person. My condolences to each of you.

  • 01/06/2020

    On behalf of the dancers in the Square and Round Dance Federation of Nova Scotia, we send our condolences to the family and friends of Obee. We square danced for many years with Obee and Ben working our way through the Mainstream, Plus, Advanced and Challenge programs. Along the way we developed a lasting friendship that was reinforced by other common interests such as gardening and wildlife preservation. It was always a joy to share their enthusiasm and sense of adventure for exploring each new opportunity that came along. Although this is a sad time, we know that Obee lived a long and full life and are thankful to have shared in parts of it. Please let us know when you schedule the Celebration of Life. With our deepest sympathy, Dottie and Gary Welch, Secretary SRDFNS

  • 01/02/2020

    Dear Robin and Family, So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. What a nice thing she wrote on her last days, a nice gift to you all. My condolences to you all....

  • 12/31/2019

    I’m so sorry to hear of Obee’s passing. I have been her in home hair stylist for the last year or so. I always enjoyed seeing her and hearing the stories of her life. She was a lovely person and she will be missed.

  • 12/27/2019

    David and family, I worked with you at the Daily News. I delivered your mother's newspaper for 7 + years. She was always kind to me and would write me long letters. I would answer her back and on special occasions, I would leave her some candy. I visited with her a couple days before she died. So sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace now. Tom Loomis

  • 12/24/2019

    Dear Judith and Family. I was so sorry to read of your mother's passing. She lived a good life and she lived it well. Sincere sympathy. Joanne

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