Maisie Benson

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother Maisie on January 16, 2026, at the Dr. Gendreau Home in Ste. Rose, MB. Maisie was 92 years of age.

Maisie was born at Ste. Rose, MB on February 13, 1933, the youngest of five children born to Henry and Isabella (Muir) Gray.

She attended school in Laurier, MB. After school she went on to work as a clerk at Molgat’s Store in Laurier. It was here where she caught the eye of a certain young man named Oliver Benson. Mom said Dad was a frequent customer at the store trying to work up the courage to ask her out. Oliver and Maisie were married on May 21, 1955.

They moved several times before settling at the farm between Ste. Rose and McCreary in 1959. They worked very hard and spent many years building and growing a prosperous farm which remains in the family to this present day. They were blessed with six children - five sons and one daughter who, together with their parents, worked the farm from scratch into a viable operation. They operated a mixed farm with dairy cattle, cattle and numerous other animals.

Mom was an amazing cook, baker, seamstress, crocheter, and knitter, her homemade bread and buns were second to none, and she baked the most amazing pies. Whenever you went to visit Maisie and Oliver you could be sure that there would be a lunch set out for you which always included some of Maisie’s baking. At Christmas you always received mittens and socks which Mom would have knitted. Her kids never had cold hands or feet! All of her grandchildren received a beautiful quilt Maisie had made for them when they were born. She also enjoyed doing a puzzle to pass the time.

In 2001 Maisie and Oliver decided it was time to “retire” and turned the farm into the very capable hands of their youngest son, Roy. They purchased a house in Ste. Rose and went on to the next chapter of their life. It was then that Maisie developed a busy social life. Mom didn’t drive on the farm, so she rode her bicycle over to the neighbours for a visit. In town she could go anywhere! She attended many bingos at the Jolly Club, helped to make sandwiches and dainties for church functions and was always out and about visiting with her many friends. Her flowerbeds and vegetable garden were a source of pride and were always fruitful supplying family and friends with fresh veggies.

Maisie is survived by her children Dave (Elaine), Rick (Sherri), Ken (Joanne), Elaine (Dean), Gord (Brenda), Roy (Deborah), brother-in-law Herb Benson as well as 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Maisie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her, and she always looked forward to their visits. She attended many of their baseball and hockey games and as many other activities she could attend. She taught them to play cribbage as well as various other card games. A deck of cards was always handy at grandmas.

She was predeceased by her husband Oliver, her parents Isabella and Henry Gray, her brothers David, Harry, Donald and sister Nancy; her grandson Darren, great-granddaughter Kayla Ray and daughter-in-law Cheryl.

Rest in peace Mom and know that you are greatly missed.

A graveside service for Maisie will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the McCreary Municipal Cemetery, in McCreary, MB with lunch to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion in McCreary.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Dr. Gendreau Home as well as Dr. Gudmundson for the excellent care and compassion Mom received. The family would also like to extend a thank-you to Maisie’s nephew Leonard Gray for visiting Mom and helping take such good care of her during her stay.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Maisie may be made to the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home c/o the Prevost Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maisie Benson, please visit our floral store.