Mary Benner Cockerill graced this earth for 95 years passing away peacefully in her home of 50 years in the Santa Cruz Mountains on January 2, 2019.  Mary was born December 17, 1923 in Ithaca, NY to James William Benner and DeNell Lyon Benner.  She had 2 brothers, David and James who are both deceased.  The Benner family eventually moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Mary graduated from Las Cruces Union High School and then received a degree in Business Administration from New Mexico A&M.  After graduating college, Mary Benner married Dale T Cockerill July 30, 1948 in St. Paul's Methodist Church. Mary was energetic, had a zest for life and was a strong, athletic, determined woman with a true competitive nature seen in the sports she played (swimming, tennis and golf) and in playing bridge. She was also an avid reader & enjoyed doing crossword puzzles & the daily jumble. She was ahead of her time conserving water & electricity & recycling/reusing everything before it was en vogue. Mary was a Bay Area Sports fan with a special allegiance to the SF Giants and Golden State Warriors, enjoying their multiple Championship wins over the last 10 years.

She is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Dale T Cockerill and son, James B Cockerill. Mary is survived by son Alan T Cockerill (Nicolette), daughter Kay D Cockerill (Danny Dann), grandchildren Blair Wahler, Brandon Prater (Rachel), and Annie D Cockerill. We were fortunate to have her in our lives for so long and will miss her dearly.  Mary wished to be cremated with no services.

Arrangements by Byrgan Cremation & Burial by Habing Family, 236 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA  95030