June 23, 2008  

COPENHAGEN, N.Y.  —  Margaret Benware, 95, formerly of Happy Acres, died Sunday evening, June 22, at the Country Manor Rehabilitation Center in Carthage where she had resided for three months.

Mrs. Benware was a custodian for the former Watertown Mattress Furniture Company, Lowville, for 20 years retiring in 1980. She was later self-employed as a domestic housekeeper for several area residence.

Born Jan. 1, 1913, in Ogdensburg, a daughter of Robert and Jennie Thompson Oliver, she was educated at Philadelphia High School and graduated from Diberts Private Business School in Philadelphia. 

She married Royal Benware on Feb. 25, 1933, at the home of the Antwewrp Justice of the Peace, George Johnson. The couple made their home in the Lowville area. He died Jan. 5, 1982.

Mrs. Benware attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Copenhagen. 

She was a member of the Singing Waters Senior Citizens and the Senior Citizens Club in Glenfield, and a former member of the Barnes Corners Grange and Petries Corners Grange and the Ladies Home Bureau of Watson.

Surviving are a son, Royal F. Benware Jr. and his wife, Ginny, Liverpool; five daughters and three sons-in-law, Joyce Castor, Baldwinsville, Janet and Ronald Herzig, Watertown, Barbara Gudridge, Crystal River, Fla., Doris and Clyde Young, Copenhagen, and Brenda and Jerry Harris, Dunnellon, Fla.; a sister, Jean Page; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A son, Carl, two sons-in-law, Phillip Castor and Leon Gudridge, a grandson, three great grandchildren and eight brothers and sisters, all died before her.

Family and friends may call 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Sundquist Funeral Home, 7676 State Street, Lowville. The funeral will at 4 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Cotter officiating. Burial will take place immediately following at the Beaches Bridge Cemetery in Watson. 

Memorials may be in memory of Mrs. Benware to: Country Manor Rehabilitation Center, West Street Road, Carthage, NY 13619.

Information provided by Sundquist Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.