Alix (Galpin) Benson, 89, of Fall River, wife of the late Edward O. Benson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at St. Anne's Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Rumford, Maine she was the daughter of the late Eric R. Galpin and the late Mary Ann (Crawford) Galpin.  Alix spent her earliest years there and then moved to Kittery and York Beach, Maine.

She attended the Robert W. Traip Academy and graduated high school at 16 years of age as class valedictorian.  An avid reader, Alix received a full scholarship to the University of Maine at Orono, where she intended to study Library Science.  In her teenage years Alix met her future husband, Edward Benson, and chose to start a family in lieu of college.

Alix and Edward spent 30 plus years in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, raising their growing family, with a few detours along the way to Virginia Beach, VA, Charleston, SC and Seattle, WA.  Alix was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest was well into elementary school.  During those years she volunteered for a number of organizations, including the Portsmouth Private Kindergarten and the U.S. Census.  She taught herself bookkeeping and began working at H&R Block, eventually teaching classes for new tax preparers and managing the H&R Block office in Middletown, RI.  Alix later joined International Manufacturing Services, Inc. as their full-charge bookkeeper where she stayed until her retirement. She  also volunteered for the Samaritans of Fall River, spending hours answering hotline calls and providing comfort to those in crisis.

Alix's love for books, stories and history was matched by her love of travel, music and the theatre.  She was a world traveler and, when she wasn't taking one of her children with her, did not hesitate to travel solo.  Alix made lifelong friends and travelling companions, both professionally and in her overseas excursions.  She appreciated folk music, early rock and roll and Celtic music among others.  She occasionally combined her love of travel with those other interests, attending the World Music Festival in Morocco, theatre weeks in London, and finding favorite bookstores every place she went.

Alix is survived by her children, James Warren Benson, Gerald "Jay" Scott Benson and his wife, Sharon Luther Benson, Matthew John Benson, and Nancy Elizabeth Benson and her partner, Barry Scott Atkinson.  She is also survived by her much adored grandchildren, Jonathan Edward Benson and Mell Luther Benson, her sister-in-law, Nancy Louise Benson, as well as numerous extended family members.  Alix is predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Edward O. Benson, her sons, Eric Royce Benson and Ralph Edward Benson, her parents, Eric and Mary Galpin, her brother, Gerald C. Galpin and her half-sister, Frances A. Galpin.

Her Funeral arrangements were private. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations in Alix's memory to Doctors Without Borders or Rosie's Place in Boston.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. Being unable to do so at this time, all are urged to express sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you!