Elaine (Lowenstern) Benen

Elaine Carol Benen, 85, a 20-year resident of Delray Beach, Florida and more recently of Severna Park, Maryland, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Heartlands Assisted Living surrounded by family.

Dr. Elaine Benen was born on Tuesday, March 22nd, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to Sidney and Lee Lowenstern. Elaine grew up as the daughter of an Army officer and spent parts of her childhood in post-war Germany. Elaine attended the University of Connecticut for her undergraduate degree, and received her Masters degree from George Mason University,being a part of the first graduating class. She went on to earn her PhD in Education from the University of the Pacific in Palo Alto, California. She was a Fulbright Scholar who lived and taught in London and Madrid. She was an Assistant Principal within Fairfax County Public School System working there for over 30 years. In retirement, Elaine read and evaluated grant proposals for the Smithsonian Institution. Elaine enjoyed reading, traveling, and was very involved with her community, especially in Florida. She also loved to travel the world, having visited over 70 countries, and scrap booked about her adventures and family time.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Sidney Lowenstern and Lee Lowenstern, her husband Arthur Swartz and former husband Lawrence Benen, her daughter Julie Becker and her brother Burt Lowe. She is survived by her daughters Sandie Benen and Paula Herz, and her sons-in-law William Chlebowski and Mike Herz, her grandchildren Luke and Sydney Herz, Alison, Joseph and Francesca Becker, and her nieces, Emily Lowenstern Gardner and Rebecca Lowe.

Services and interment are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research by clicking HERE.

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