Beverly (Bev) Benner was our mother. She did not have an easy life but it was beautiful and overflowing with love.

Born on August 12, 1942 to Hugh and Florence Brooks, mom was the oldest of four children. She grew up and lived in Philadelphia and Bucks County, Pennsylvania where she later married our father, Laverne Benner, on April 4, 1964. They wanted to start a family but were told by doctors that they couldn't so they became foster parents to a boy named Russell. In 1971 they adopted a son and named him Scott. Though doctors said she would never give birth, mom was a bit too stubborn to believe them. Her second son Brian Benner was born in 1976 and her third child Robert Benner followed in 1981.

Our mom never gave up, she lived with a seizure disorder but she never complained. The medication she used kept her from driving and so she had to walk everywhere, including to work. Mom followed her heart when it came to work, always gravitating to jobs where she could talk to people while helping them.

Our mom fought against anyone or anything that tried to hold her or our family back. She fought when our father left and she fought when she couldn't afford our bills - I only heard her cry once. She didn't blink when she needed a pacemaker, when she lost her job, or while raising three boys alone.

Mom wasn't a person who ran when faced with pressure, she leaned into it. Two years ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and told that a massive and dangerous surgery was her only chance. Without pause she said, "If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging". Mom emerged from that surgery almost effortlessly and faced a year of rehabilitation and chemotherapy with grace. She may not have appeared tough but she was forged in a fire that few could withstand. Her experiences, determination and example are the foundation that all of our families are built on.

Our mother absolutely adored the family that she built and was endlessly proud of her five grandchildren, Cole, Arden, Sofia, Eddie and Carmen. I, my brothers and our beautiful wives Kelly, Amanda and Tara were the light of her life. Her departure has left a void in our hearts and minds that we will try to fill with the memories of her love, persistence and joy for life.

Our beloved mother passed peacefully on June 21, 2023. She was 80 hard-fought years old.

If there's a heaven, mom is eating ice cream in a room full of family photos and screaming "C'mon guys" at the Philadelphia Eagles. She is making friends at dinner, telling them stories about the people she loves, and listening to Christmas music no matter the time of year.

In lieu of flowers, think of our mom the next time life gets tough and remind yourself that pressure makes diamonds.