Vada Benson

Vada Parrish Benson, 81, Topeka, died suddenly but peacefully Monday, July 17, 2006, watering the garden in the heat. In her last minutes she was doing the things she loved for people she loved. Daughter of Bonnie Parrish and Sallie Wade Shore Parrish, she was born May 29, 1925, in Bellview, New Mexico. Vada and Richard E. Benson were married in 1947. Richard preceded her in death on August 1, 2002.

Vada was fascinated by Civil War history and was proud of the role of her family in the settling of the American west. She was proud to be a Parrish and had a particularly eloquent understanding of the Lincoln County War and her father's namesake, Billy the Kid. She was proud to be a Shore, enthusiastic about family lore regarding the James brothers, the Border Wars, and her grandfather's flight to safety out the back door as the family homestead burned. She made the history of the west come alive in her children's imaginations. From humble beginnings as a dust-bowl farmer's daughter, she obtained advanced education and made her mark influencing her children and her students to aspire to something more.

Vada spent most of her working life teaching children. She was truly committed to education. She graduated from the University of Missouri in three years and she remained a Tiger for her entire life. After marriage and with young children, she earned a Master's degree in Education, specializing in reading and math, from Washburn University. She taught at the Adventure Center, Linn Elementary, Highland Park South Elementary, and Southard School. She served as Chair of the Political Action Committee of NEA-Topeka. She was a respected innovator in teaching mathematics and computer science to elementary school students.

Volunteer activities included her service as vice-chair of the Shawnee County Democratic Party, her 2004 candidacy for the Kansas legislature, and her service until her death as treasurer of Letha Swank's campaign for the legislature. She was an avid gardener and skilled with sewing, knitting, and needlecrafts.

Vada is survived by her daughter, Bonnie E. Benson, of Kansas City, Missouri and her son and daughter-in-law, Richard W. Benson and Sherry A. McGowan of Topeka; a sister and brother-in-law, Letha and Roger Swank of Topeka; and the Swanks' daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jack Kemp, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Vada will be cremated. The family will greet friends at a memorial service at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 22 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. To leave a message for the family, please visit www. PenwellGabel.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Helping Hands Humane Society, the American Heart Association, or Democrat Action Committee, which commits all its resources to voter registration.