Martha Benson

Martha Clough Benson was born May 15, 1920 to Joseph Patterson Carey and Anna Louise Carey Horstman in Cleveland, Ohio. Her twin sister, Ellen Carey Bub, survives her. She was a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School and Wilcox Business School. On September 6, 1941, she married Herbert Chester Clough, also of Cleveland. Martha and Herb resided in Moreland Hills on Strawberry Lane for most of their marriage. They had two children Susan Clough Graham and James Forrest Clough. Martha was a watercolor artist and after taking art therapy classes at Ursuline College began and ran an art therapy studio at Sunny Acres Hospital. She continued her work there as a volunteer for over ten years and was given the prestigious award of Volunteer of the Year in the State of Ohio in 1980. Summer vacations to Crystal Lake in Michigan began for Martha in 1930. She was the niece of Dee Pennington and she, her sister and parents would visit the Penningtons during the summer. Her love of Crystal Lake was shared by her husband Herb and they purchased land and built a cottage of their own in 1976. Martha and Herb were charter members of the Crystal Lake Golf Club and enjoyed golfing there and at the Frankfort Golf Club. The cottage continues to be a special place for her entire family, hosting weddings, celebrations and holidays. After the death of Herb, Martha married Roy Benson in 1983. She and Roy enjoyed golfing and traveling, going on many wonderful trips through their marriage. Martha and Roy moved to Laurel Lake in Hudson, Ohio in 1994. Roy passed away in 1999, and Martha remained a resident there until her passing. In addition to her love of art, golf and her volunteer work, Martha loved to dance and socialize. She was not only a fun and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, but a dear friend. She was an inspiration to many. Her spirited soul, though no doubt lives on, will truly be missed by those that knew her. Martha was preceded in death by her husbands Herbert and Roy, dear friend Bob Rodgers, and loving daughter Susan Clough Graham. She is survived by her son Jim Clough of Traverse City, granddaughter Cici Clough-Foged Erik of Traverse City, grandson Jamie Clough Suzanne of Chicago, great-grandchildren Madeline and Olive Clough and Eli and Rowan Foged, twin sister Ellen Bub Robert, and nieces Barbara Bub Peckinpaugh John, Kathy Bub Franklin Ralph and Bobbie Bub Dugas Tony. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite E, Green, OH 44685. Memorial Services will be held in Serenity Chapel of Laurel Lake, 200 Laurel Lake Dr., Hudson, OH on Saturday, January 26 at 2:30 PM.


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