BENSON, Donna

Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory, Mesa, Arizona Donna Benson (Barrows) March 9, 1962 ~ May 1, 2013 Donna Benson (Barrows) was born in Mildenhall, England, to Richard Barrows, a member of the U.S. Air Force and his wife Estelle (Stella) Palmer, a local English woman. At the age of 3 months, her family relocated to an airbase near Rapid City, South Dakota, where she graduated from Central High School. Donna graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Geological Engineering and a M.S. in Geology. She worked at Mesa Community College for 14 years as a Geology Professor. Donna is remembered for her quick wit and humor. She was loved by her students and recognized for her ability to show students that they could achieve what they thought was impossible by being selected MCC 2003 Teacher of the Year. Donna started the MCC Science Day, an event that hosts over 400 fourth and fifth grade children in hands-on learning activities to encourage future scientists and engineers. Donna is survived by her husband Dewey, daughter Hayley, 7 brothers, and 3 sisters. She will be lovingly remembered for her dedication to her students, her joy in seeing students get excited about science, putting everyone else before herself, and her wit, humor, and practical jokes. Donna has forever touched everyone who knew her.