Carol Anne (Benson) Milligan

Carol Anne (Benson) Milligan, age 91 of Sidney, passed away peacefully at sunset on August 15, 2021 at Ohio Living Dorothy Love.

Carol was born on March 8, 1930 in Washington DC, the youngest of five children born to William P. and Mary Jane (Johnson) Benson. She graduated from Chevy Chase High School and the College of Wooster where she met her husband of 62 years, Patrick H. Milligan.

Carol dedicated herself to her family, faith and community, volunteering countless hours to numerous nonprofit organizations including Wilson Hospital, Dorothy Love Retirement Community and the Alpha Center.

Carol was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sidney where she shared her beautiful singing voice and love of music as a member of the choir, served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and director of the Carol Choir.

Carol was a loving mother and devoted wife and friend. She was a contributing member of the Shakespeare Club, the Garden Club and Charity League. Carol was also an accomplished calligrapher, gardener, and enjoyed sharing her considerable talents in a variety of artistic pursuits, including the very difficult art of Ukrainian Pysanka Egg making.

In recognition of Carol's many contributions, March 8, 2020, her 90th birthday, was declared Carol Milligan Day in the City of Sidney. She was able to share that special day with family and friends from across the country just before the COVID-19 pandemic made such gatherings impossible.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Patrick and two children: daughter Mary Elizabeth and infant son Mark Benson; her parents and four siblings: Betty Coleman (Bud), William Benson (Hope), Mary Jane Beem (Eugene) and Herbert Benson (Polly). She is survived by her son Tom Milligan (Mardie) of Sidney, daughter Sarah Milligan-Toffler (Jeff) of Chattahoochee Hills, GA, and son-in-law Charles Sheaffer (Jan) of Asheville, NC; five grandchildren: Caitlin Sheaffer of Seattle, WA, Hannah Sheaffer of Minneapolis, MN, Amanda Milligan-Rafferty (Sean) of Chicago, IL, Calvin Milligan of Bloomington, IN, and Jacob Toffler of Ft. Myers, FL; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Carol's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Sidney, at a time to be determined by the family. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Dorothy Love Life Care Fund, Wilson Hospice, Raise the Roof for the Arts, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Anne (Benson) Milligan, please visit our floral store.