Marilyn C. Benz

She was born in Stamford, CT on September 13, 1948 to Laurence and Marjorie (Scribner) Benz.

She earned a bachelor's degree in social work in 1970 and a teaching certificate in 1980 from Notre Dame College in Manchester.

She was a teacher at the Lamprey River Elementary School in Raymond for 29 years. She was selected six times for Who's Who Among American Teachers and was named New Hampshire Teacher of the Year in 2003.

She was a keynote speaker for the Excellence in Education Awards and was honored for Outstanding Service to the Community by the Raymond Jaycees.

IN HER LIFE: In 1989, Lin met and fell in love with Bill W. and became a devoted volunteer in service to his extended family. In 2008 she received the Courage of Change Award from Serenity Place.

The family includes a daughter, Becky Young and her husband, Russell, of Hooksett; five siblings, Corky Kleiner and her husband, Chuck, of Manchester, Barbara Richards and her husband, Skeets, of Williamstown, MA, Beth Benz of North Adams, MA, Larry Benz and his wife, Mary, of Hooksett, and Susan Benz of Austin, TX; a niece, Katie Dickerson and her husband, Don, and their children, Briana and Madilyn;a nephew, Timothy "TAK" Kleiner and his wife, Michelle, and their children Olivia and Shawn; a niece, Carrie Kutney and her husband, Peter, and their children, Bridget and Erin; a niece, Jennifer Hammack and her children, Fallon Barlow and Fagan Hammack; and Lin's extended family, Skip McNamara, Pauline Bresk, Sr. Maurice Doodey, John FitzGerald, Sandy Pryor, Judy Frontierro and Joyce Caristi.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to VNA Hospice for the special care that Lin received.

The funeral was held Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in the funeral home.

Donations may be made to Serenity Place, P.O. Box 1477, Manchester, NH 03105.