LaRue “Cookie” Benson of Jacksonville Beach passed away on August 26, 2026. She was born to Leroy and Helen Blodgett on June 6, 1935, in Altoona, PA.

Cookie’s life was defined by continuous service to others: first to her large family, as a longtime volunteer at St. Paul’s Thrift Shop and the St. Vincent DePaul Society, as well as decades of work at Beaches Hospital Pharmacy.

She was a stellar example of a mother and grandmother hosting a family gathering nearly every weekend, attending children and grandchildren’s sports games and school activities and always making time for the beach with loved ones. She was known for the world’s best “sticky buns” and her beautiful garden. Cookie loved the beach living and decorating with found beach treasures, but you would never find her more than ankle deep in the ocean!

Her beautiful soul has left a garden of cherished memories.

Cookie was preceded in death by her husband Pete and son-in-law Bill Newham.

She is survived by her children Mickey Paxson (Skip), Gayle Newham, Cindy Thompson (Eddie), Sue Emrick (Mike), Drew Benson and Jeff Benson, 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

The eldest of 10 children, she was preceded in death by her siblings Francis Blodgett, Susie Porzio, Jackie Blodgett and Johnny Blodgett. She is survived by her siblings Tommy Blodgett, Marsha Beck, Debbie Yorgey, Marian Merrbach and Shelby Sutton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Pete and Cookie at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026, in St. Paul’s Catholic Church of Jacksonville Beach with Monsignor Houle as the Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pete & Cookie’s honor to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at: 224 N. 5th St. Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 or https://svdpbeaches.org/donate/.