March 28, 1932 – August 10, 2023
Alice Bens of Andover, North Truro, Reading, and Randolph, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10th, 2023, in the company of her loving daughters. She was 91.
Alice leaves her daughter Amy and husband Bob of Andover and daughter Beth and husband Scott of North Truro. She was predeceased by her son, Chip (Ralph), who was always alive in her heart. She loved Chip’s wife, Eileen, like another daughter. Alice adored her grandchildren, RJ (Ralph) and Juliana, and was always delighted to see her great-grandchildren, Dale and Sam.
Alice was the only child of Arthur and Alice (Smith) Proctor. She grew up in Randolph, where she met and married Ralph Bens Jr. The couple settled in Reading, had three children, and were happily married for many years. Their home was a welcoming place for friends of all ages.
Alice led Brownie, Girl Scout, and Cub Scout troops. She made birthday parties unique and fun with homemade decorations and games. She loved cooking for crowds: blueberry pies and buckle, stuffed sea clams, cornflake chicken, teatime tassies, and big turkey dinners any time of the year.
At 73, she moved to the family house on Cape Cod to live year-round. She loved her rescue cats, being near the ocean, feeding the birds, going barefoot, gardening, and making new friends. She volunteered at the Truro Historical Society and the Provincetown Soup Kitchen.
She lived her last months at the Bear Mountain Nursing Home in Andover, enjoying visits from those who loved her. She received skilled care and TLC beyond anyone’s expectations, never losing her renowned sense of humor and great spirit.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 11:00am at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. in Reading. Burial will follow Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading, MA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Alice’s memory to CASAS Animal Shelter in Provincetown, MA or Project Bread.
