April 16, 1939 ~ November 25, 2015

On April 7, 2017, long-time Alaskan resident, Yvonne Mary Benson, was finally laid to rest alongside her parents at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Renton, Washington.

As a young adult, Yvonne adventured north to Alaska, residing first in the Matanuska Valley and then for most of her adult life in Anchorage. Yvonne had a widely varied life but there were always two constants, her working in careers that directly helped individual people and her love for animals. Yvonne was brought to Alaska through her work as a stewardess for Alaska Airlines in the early 1960’s. Over the years, she worked as a certified dental assistant, as a legal secretary, assisted with tax preparation, as a beautician/nail esthetician and then for many years as certified health aid helping one-on-one those who needed assistance in their daily lives. She also had a passion for animals, both caring for her well-loved personal pets and actively supporting many organizations who help to protect the most defenseless among us. “Humanity’s true moral test, its fundamental test…consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals” Milan Kunera.

Yvonne was born in Seattle, Washington on April 16, 1939. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey George & Esther Loretta (nee Monaghan) Benson from the Beacon Hill area of Seattle, Washington; her sister, Marjorie Loretta Benson Lewis from Burien, Washington and her longtime companion, John Mark Warren of Anchorage, Alaska. She is survived by her nieces Christine Ann Garabedian of Renton, Washington; Renee Lynn Woodson of Cle Elum, Washington and cousin Marilyn Ragle of Renton, Washington. Yvonne undoubtedly was met at the Rainbow Bridge by her companions of a lifetime — Dobi, Nicky, Kobuk, Bear, Taylor, Rolf and especially Buckwheat. Yvonne would wish all to love and care for the animal’s in their lives and would encourage donations to any group which helps care for the neglected animals and marginalized people among us.