- Date Of Birth: July 13, 1934
- Date Of Death: September 9, 2022
- State: Arizona
Toby S. Benenson (née Feldman), age 88, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 9, 2022, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. The daughter of David E. Feldman and Eleanor Helen Furst, Toby grew up in South Orange, New Jersey, and was a long-time resident of Short Hills. In 1995, Toby began to split her time between Short Hills and Scottsdale, where she relocated in 2017.
Toby graduated cum laude from Smith College in 1956, and married Jay R. Benenson, Esq. later that year. She worked for Richard K. Manoff, Inc. and at the New Yorker Magazine, before starting a family. Toby was a member of the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad where she became captain and served as its president. She later served as a board member and president of the Milburn Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Fiercely independent, strong-willed, and optimistic, Toby faced adversity in stride and always expressed gratitude for the gift of life. A lifetime learner, Toby was a voracious reader, lover of language, art and film, and crossword puzzle guru. She had a deep appreciation of nature and animals, and enjoyed early morning power walks in the desert, where she felt most at peace. Toby was an enthusiastic bridge player, and regularly played matches as a member of Troon Country Club, where she also enjoyed golfing. She appreciated critical dialogue about current events. She maintained lifelong friendships, and traveled regularly. An early tech adopter, Toby kept in close contact with her five beloved grandchildren, communicating with them often via text, photos and emojis.
She is survived by her son Steven P. Benenson (Jennifer) and their daughters, Rachael and Hannah; son Michael J. Benenson (Elizabeth), their daughter Katharine (Jason) and sons William and Jack; sister Georgene Brazer; close nephew John Simon; and former husband.
