Kay Marie Benjamin

Kay Marie Riley Benjamin, 86, of Olathe, KS, passed away on December 25, 2021, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas. Born in Macomb, Illinois, to Wilbur and Nell (Breneman) Riley on January 12, 1935, Kay was the oldest of their two children.

Kay spent her early childhood years surrounded by a loving family and family friends in Illinois. Many of these relatives would remain influential throughout her life, especially her aunts Wilda (Riley) Harl, Zelda "Jim" (Riley) Wilson, and Flossie (Breneman) Cunningham, and uncles James "Gay" Breneman and Glenn Breneman. When Kay was in elementary school, the family moved to Garnett, Kansas. Kay loved playing the piano and clarinet and sang and danced with her sister, Peggy Ann. Sadness came to the family when her father, Wilbur, died in a work accident when Kay was 12 years old. Even after the loss of her father, she and her sister remained close to Nell and Wilbur's relatives going back to Illinois to spend summer vacations and holidays. These were cherished times for Kay, and she ensured her children experienced spending time with her Illinois relatives. Kay spent summers working as a lifeguard and babysitter when she was old enough to earn extra money.

Kay met Richard Dale Benjamin, the love of her life, at a box supper where he bid on her dinner. She drove out to the farm the next day to thank him, and the rest is history. They were married on May 24, 1953, right after Kay graduated high school. A few weeks into their marriage, Richard was drafted to go to Korea. Kay moved into an apartment in Garnett above Mrs. Church, who would tap on the ceiling making sure Kay was up for her job working for a local lawyer.

After Richard returned from Korea in 1955, Kay and Richard moved to Lawrence, Kansas, for college. Kay started at KU but left school to work at Jayhawk Ammunition plant as a secretary to support her and Richard while he completed his degree.

Kay and Richard moved to Dallas, Texas, when Richard accepted a job at Texas Instruments after graduation. Kay and Richard bought a little brick house and started their family there; Susan was born while they lived in Dallas. Missing their families, they moved back to Kansas, eventually residing in Lawrence, where their son David was born. The unrest in Lawrence in 1968 was concerning to her and Richard, so they moved the family back to Overland Park.

Kay was all about family and was very involved in her children's activities. She taught swimming lessons; was a Girl Scout and a Tag-Along Camp leader; a Picture Lady in the Shawnee Mission School District; a Sunday School teacher; and was Room Mother and a school office volunteer at the kids' school. After her children were in school, Kay began working part-time outside the home. She worked weekends at a furniture store owned by long-time family friends to buy her family a dining room set – which Kay and Richard had until they downsized in 2005. As her kids grew, Kay returned to full-time work, managing offices for a manufacturer's representative, an architect, and a real-estate developer.

Just as Kay was very involved with her children, she was very much the doting grandmother to her granddaughter, Keiko. Known as "Grammer" to Keiko, she passed on her passion for many things to her granddaughter including a love of nature (especially plants and birds), a deep enjoyment of a good book, a knack for shopping, and love for family. Many of Keiko's childhood summer memories include going with "Grammer" to the pool, Panera, Nordstrom, spending time in the backyard garden, listening to her expansive CD collection, or hunkering down with a good book.

Kay had many hobbies, but she was most passionate about playing bridge. She belonged to several bridge clubs playing at least three-to-four times a month at one point in her life. She also loved playing the piano and was an avid reader, especially mysteries. She shared a passion for gardening with Richard, and they had beautiful yards throughout their lives. They both loved the theater. They had season tickets to almost every theater company in Kansas City. The University of Kansas Christmas Vespers was a long-standing tradition with several good friends. Although not a passionate cook, she loved to entertain and host parties for friends and family. They loved to travel and, after they retired, did so often with friends. She especially loved the ocean, and they spent several winter months in Florida every year, where they spent hours watching for dolphins and walking along the beach.

Christmas was always a very special time for Kay. She celebrated the holiday with family and friends through singing carols, baking candy and sharing it with friends and neighbors, decorating inside and out, dressing up in holiday attire, attending church service, and spending quality time with those in her life. Her enjoyment of the holiday was infectious, and she will live on in the Christmas traditions of her family and others who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Susan & Riichiro Suzuki and David Benjamin & Terry Jensen; her granddaughter Keiko Suzuki; her sister Peggy Ann (Riley) Morgan; and many nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Benjamin, and her parents, Nell Marie (Breneman) Riley Graves and Wilbur Riley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to Olathe Hospice House, 15310 Marion St, Olathe, KS 66061.

To view a livestream of the service on Friday, December 31 at 10am, please click here.


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