Iva Benson was born in Hammondvale on May 26, 1924; she was the daughter of the late Wilbert N. O'Dell of Clover Hill and Elizabeth M. (Wood) O'Dell of St, Martins. Iva was the wife of the late Austin Benson who passed away June 6, 1983. In her earlier years Iva worked at McCready's Pickles in Sussex, later went back to Hammondvale to work on the farm. She loved to hunt and fish, garden and once she even wrestled a porcupine. Iva was a very strong and independent woman and even after her marriage to Austin she wore the pants in the family. She is survived by her daughter Gloria Benson and Austin O'Donnell of Sussex, her son Emery Benson and Bev Veinot of Sussex, her brother, Reg O'Dell of Hammondvale, two grandchildren: Jackie Murray and Jason Vail of Sussex and Kathleen Pearson of ON, as well as several nieces and nephews. Iva was predeceased by her daughter Shirley in 1956, three brothers: Gilbert, Ora and Emery and by three sisters: Bertha, Della Edgett and Verna Cunningham. Mrs. Iva Florence Benson of Tender Heart Special Care Home Norton, formerly of Hammondvale, passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital on May 18, 2010 at the age of 85.