Dorothy V. (Bergstrom) “Ma” Benson, 84, of Worcester, formerly of Manchaug, passed away peacefully at home with family on Monday, January 22nd after a long illness. Her husband of 38 years, Earle Benson died in January 1982. She leaves a son, David Benson of Ayer; three daughters, Dona LaValley and her husband Steven of Sutton, Denise Benson and a family friend Albert Sawtell, both of Worcester and Doreen Graf and her husband John “Jack” of Millbury; twelve grandchildren, Amanda Belliveau, David and Christopher Benson, Jennifer Plante, Jason Bumgarner, Malissa Osterman, Steven Jr. and Jeffrey LaValley, Nicholas Benson, Heidi, Leanne and Dennis Graf and seventeen great-grandchildren. She also leaves two sisters, Mabel Perkins and Pearl Pugliese, many nephews and nieces. Dorothy was predeceased by a daughter Darlene in 1956, a son, Army Spec. 4, Dennis Benson, who died in Vietnam, in December 1968, a sister, Hilda Scheibler and two brothers, George and Carl Bergstrom.

She was born in Worcester daughter of Phillip G. and Mabel (Blomgren) Bergstrom. She worked at Logan-Swift and Brigham in Worcester prior to getting married and raising her children. She loved to play cards, crochet and play the organ. She also enjoyed fishing, reading, painting, cooking and going to the casino. Dorothy was a gold star mother and she loved spending time with her family.

The funeral service will be Friday, January 26th at 10:00 AM in Lindquist Lundin Funeral Home, 36 Butler Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Visiting hours are Thursday, January 25th from 5 – 8 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UMASS Memorial Hospice, 650 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605.