Janet E. Benton

Janet E (Fulton) Benton, lifetime resident of Laurel, Md. passed away peacefully on May 12, 2018 at age 97. Born in 1920, she graduated Laurel High School in 1937 and began her working career with jobs at the Laurel Post Office, Revere Copper and Brass, Acacia Life Insurance, before traveling to Puerto Rico to marry her high school sweetheart and lifelong Laurel resident, Mervin Benton, in July 1942. Merv was employed by a U. S defense contractor. Mrs. Benton obtained a position with the same company as secretary to the project manager. Upon the approach of WW II Merv was presented with the option of joining the Puerto Rican military or returning to the States to enlist. He chose to return to the U. S. (Laurel) and enlist in the U. S. Navy. Upon his return to the States from overseas, Janet followed Merv to Camp Lejeune N.C. where she was employed as Secretary to Chief of Chaplains. Upon Merv’s discharge they returned to Laurel where she had short employment with Revere Copper and Brass and the U S Dept. of Agriculture before her 25 years of service with the Dept. of Public Welfare, District of Columbia at Children’s Center as Executive Secretary.  After retirement, Janet enjoyed the camaraderie within the Laurel Friendship Club and the active travel programs they offered.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband Merv, parents Richard and Edna, sisters Doris, Hilda Dorothy and brother Donald, nephew Jack Harrison, and niece Frances Lehmann.

Surviving family members include son Stephen (Donna), grandsons Tony, Eric, and Mike, great grandson Anthony, nieces Judy Carr, Linda Nitsch, Donna Fulton, and nephews Donald Fulton, and Ray Montgomery, their families along with many family members of the predeceased.

Visitation will be at Donaldson Funeral Home on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm with a memorial service immediately after in the chapel.    

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of their choice.

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