Barbara Todd Benson passed away on July 17, 2025, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. She was born in 1948 in Passaic, New Jersey, and moved with her family to Santa Cruz, California, in 1953. Throughout her life, Barbara made significant contributions to her community and is fondly remembered by her family and friends.
Barbara received her education at Scotts Valley Junior High and graduated from Soquel High School in 1967. She later attended Heald’s Business College. In 1989, she relocated to Santa Rosa, California, where she continued to engage in her passions and hobbies.
She is survived by her two sons, Jeff Benson (Patti) of Henderson, Nevada, and Gary Benson (Shannon) of Fresno, California. Barbara was also a proud grandmother to Nicole, Andrew, Lauren, Scott, and Dean, and a great-grandmother to Lukas. Her family also includes her sisters, Lauri Todd (Greg) of Portland, Oregon, and Nancy Todd (Don) of Watsonville, California, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Barbara was known for her extraordinary creativity, excelling in sewing, quilting, crocheting, gardening, and various crafts. Her family treasures the items she made, which continue to hold sentimental value. Despite the challenges posed by her illness, Barbara maintained her quirky sense of humor and a positive outlook on life.
Private family services are planned in Santa Cruz to coincide with her birthday, where family and friends will gather to celebrate her life and legacy. Her loved ones remember her not only for her artistic talents but also for her unwavering spirit and the love she shared.
In recognition of her life, the family encourages friends and community members to honor Barbara Todd by planting a living memorial or sending flowers. She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.
