Sharon Benson

Sharon Teresa Benson of Damascus, MD died on Thursday October 1, 2015 at Frederick Memorial Hospital comforted by her daughter Victoria L. Pavay and son David A. Lauer.  She had just turned 73.

Sharon was born on September 5, 1942 in Washington, D.C.  She was the first daughter to James and Helen Kemp.  The family moved to FL in the early 1950’s before she was ten. Sharon graduated from Hialeah High School where she met her 1st husband, John David Lauer.  They married in May 1962, had two children (Vicki & David) and moved to Atlanta, GA so her husband could attend Pharmacy school.  While in Atlanta she worked as a telephone operator at Southern Bell.  The family then moved to Maryland in 1972.  They divorced in 1980. Sharon went to work at the Giant in Friendship Heights where she met her 2nd husband Michael J. Peters who predeceased her in 1989.  Sharon and Michael had two dogs Grant & Crystal that were their ‘kids’.  Sharon started working at Giant in Potomac where she met her 3rd husband James Wade Benson (Buddy).  Sharon and Buddy were married 20 years. Buddy died in January 2012.

Sharon was full of love and liberally gave her love to all those she came in contact with.  She also enjoyed taking care of her precious dog Weebles.  When she was healthier, Sharon was active at the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, MD.  Her favorite things were spending time with her family especially the grandkids, putting together puzzles including crosswords, & reading.

She is survived by a sister Darlene (Gene) Dempsey, her daughter Victoria (Fred) Pavay, her son David (Kathie) Lauer, her grandchildren Bryce and Tyler Pavay, Gennis (Teddy) Halmi, Ashley (Neil) Mulloy, and Nathan (Shannon) Lauer, nephew Shane (Dina) Dempsey, great-grandchildren, and many cousins and extended family as well as her dedicated care giver, Aminata, who prayed with her every day.

She was predeceased by Helen Lindsay (Mother), James Anthony Kemp (Father), Bernie Kemp and John Lindsay (Brothers), Keli Lindsay-Shepherd-Aroche (Sister), John David Lauer (Husband), Michael J. Peters (Husband), James Wade Benson (Husband), Shawn Dempsey (Niece), Margaret Jacobs (Aunt), Bob Jacobs (Uncle).

The family will receive friends from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9th at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, where a celebration of Sharon's life will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.