Marilyn A. Benson passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 23 at her Windemere Home on Martha’s Vineyard, where she lived close to her daughter Lisa.
Marilyn had a long and distinguished career in Long Island Community Newspapers as an advertising executive. She was passionate in her desire for locally owned businesses to thrive on Long Island and worked tirelessly toward that goal.
From 1996 to 2010 she was an enthusiastic advertising account executive here at Anton Community Newspapers. She took special interest and pride in the Great Neck Record, the Glen Cove Record Pilot, the Roslyn News and the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot. Marilyn especially appreciated an enduring relationship with our publisher, Angela Anton.
From 1986 to 1996 Marilyn published her own magazine, Boulevard. It was a publication that engaged all her creative talent and passion for publishing: from layout to editorial to printing. Boulevard was enormously satisfying for her and during that time she was recognized for her work with the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce, the New York State Assembly and other civic organizations, receiving various awards, including the Jesse Markell Award, the Leo Friend Award, the Great Neck Plaza Award, the Nassau County United Chamber Community Award and the ORT Achievement Award.
Marilyn delighted in her relationships with local merchants and civic organizations of Long Island. She enjoyed attending her Great Neck High School reunions. She loved trips to visit family in Chapel Hill North Carolina, as well as family and friend gatherings at her home in Old Brookville.
Marilyn would probably best wish to be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and aunt. She is survived by her daughter Lisa, son Cort, her grandchildren Nicole, Melanie, Ned, Jonathan, Kristen, and Drew, nieces Leigh Anne, Diana, Karen and Jennifer, grand-niece Lucy, grand-nephews Robert, Ezra and Levi, and her sister-in-law Marion Rayve. Marilyn was predeceased by her lovely daughter Linda, her sister Priscilla Levine and her brother Edward Rayve. We will miss her unconditional love and unflagging support and encouragement.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Roslyn, to be announced at a later date.
