Ana Marie (Spencer) Benson, 76, of Stephens City, Virginia, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, at Life Care Center in New Market, Virginia.

Ana was born in 1948 in Laredo, Texas, the daughter of the late George Spencer and late Ada Cruz Spencer. She grew up in Brownsville, Texas, graduating from Villa Maria High School. She went on to study at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education.

In 1969, she married her husband, Gerald Edwin Benson, of Wisconsin, after meeting him while she was attending college in San Antonio. Their life as an Air Force military couple began with assignments across the country and the globe. Throughout Jerry’s career, Ana was the quintessential military supportive wife, running the household and supporting Jerry in his 27-year long career of active duty. She also loved to play bridge and was a fabulous hostess for family gatherings as well as military celebrations.

Once children came into their life, Ana paused her career to focus on raising their two children, Adrian and Crista. As the kids grew older, Ana returned to her career in education. She taught in the Department of Defense School System at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, as well as York County Public Schools in Virginia. She volunteered as a literacy teacher for adults with limited reading skills, and served as a new parent community educator with Head Start. She later worked as a Special Education Transition Specialist in the Isle of Wight County School System, retiring in that position after her decades-long career in education.

Ana’s love reached many extended family members even from afar as she often lived across the country, or even across the world, from her family in Texas. For over 20 years she organized constant in-house care for her four widowed aunts in Texas, allowing them to live their lives in the comfort of their own homes. Even through her final months she remained in regular contact with friends and family.

Ana had a lifelong appreciation for the arts, volunteering to teach students about art and frequently attending musical theaters, plays, and concerts. She loved to travel not only in Air Force adventures, but also with educator exchange programs to Egypt and Brazil. When both she and Jerry retired, they became regular globe-trotter for many years.

Ana was a deeply faithful Catholic. She and Jerry made several faith-based pilgrimages, the pinnacle being a church-led trip to the Holy Land. Since moving to Stephens City in 2021, Ana has been a regular parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester, Virginia.

Ana is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gerald Edwin Benson; son Adrian Spencer Benson and his wife Jenn; daughter Dr. Crista Warniment and her husband Daniel; and 5 grandchildren.

The funeral Mass will be private. Interment will be at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.