Worcester – Mary Beth Benison lived by the words of one of her favorite tongue-in-cheek songs, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Her 16-year battle with at least four diseases, including a brain tumor, breast cancer, Mesothelioma, and finally Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, did not diminish Mary Beth’s positive outlook for her world, family or friends. In the end, Mary Beth died surrounded by her family and devoted loved ones all by her side on the evening of Sunday, May 3, 2015. She was 53.
Born May 7, 1961 in Worcester, she was the first child born to Virginia M. (Cooney) Benison and the late Francis J. Benison Jr. She graduated from St. Peter Marian High School in 1979 and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Assumption College in 1983.
Her professional career led her to a position as Director and Regional Manager for Massachusetts-based Aspect Telecommunications, where she worked for over 20 years.
After a company reorganization, Mary Beth took the opportunity to pursue her passion for baking, a hobby in which she excelled and soon thereafter turned into a successful business upon earning a pastry chef certification. Her bakery, CocoBeni Confections in Northborough, opened in October 2011. With the assistance of two highly talented bakers, Jess and Rachel, along with the voluntary efforts of family and friends, the business continues to thrive.
Her career shift gave her happiness, fulfillment and an outlet for her creativity. She loved all people and she believed they were divided into two groups, “Those who love chocolate and those who don’t.” While she held out hope for the latter, she served multiple flavors of chocolate at Cocobeni and no one ever left unhappy.
Mary Beth loved life and spending time with family and friends. She loved her dogs, Daisy and Coco, and was always happy at her home on Cape Cod and at South Cape Beach in Mashpee. She travelled extensively, domestically and globally.
It was her love of the exotic and foreign that helped her say yes to a dance invitation extended to her one night at a local club from a man who spoke no English. Intrigued, Mary Beth said yes to dancing and by the evening’s end, agreed to a follow-up date. In time, Nader Tavallaimola mastered English and asked Mary Beth to marry him. They were wed Aug. 28, 1993 at Christ the King Church in Worcester.
Along with the joy of work and love of family, Mary Beth knew far too much about sickness and suffering. Although the pain was often beyond endurance, Mary Beth met each step of her battles with courage and grace and said she would be indebted to the wonderful help of medical staffs in Boston, Nashville and Worcester. The family especially wishes to thank Mary Ann Corriveau and Alice Munene for the love and care they gave to Mary Beth. In addition, they wish to thank the Shrewsbury Fire Department and EMTs, Emergency Room staff and caregivers on 6 ICU and 6 East at UMass Medical. The family saw God’s healing touch in their hands each and every day. Likewise, Mary Beth felt strongly about the care she received. She believed wholeheartedly in the power of love, kindness and mutual understanding. She made sure to tell people in her life that she loved them and continually emphasized everything was going to be okay.
Her love lives on in her family and friends: her husband of 21 years, Nader; her mother, Virginia of Holden; her siblings, Megan A Benison and her husband Grant Cary of Shrewsbury, Francis J. Benison III and his wife Paula Fleming of Brighton, Timothy J. Benison and his wife Tracey of Auburn, Erin I. Corso and her husband Christopher of Attleboro, John P. Benison and his husband Phillip Cobb of Washington, D.C., and Katie M. Bension-Camell and her husband Frederick Camell of Holden; 16 nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, cousins and many devoted friends whom Mary Beth wished everyone could be blessed with throughout their own lives; and very important her dog Daisy and her belated dog Coco.
Family and friends will honor and remember Mary Beth’s life by gathering for calling hours Friday, May 8, from 4-8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Saturday, May 9, at 8:45 a.m., before leaving in procession to Saint Mary of the Hills, 630 Cross St., Boylston, where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
Be informed. Be seen. Be loved. Be Helpful. Be Mary Beth. Honor her name with a contribution to the Mary Beth Benison ALS Fund, in c/o Shrewsbury Credit Union, P.O. Box 227, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
