Katherine F. Bensen was born Katherine Mary Foley in Hollis, Queens on May 1, 1929 to Virginia (VanPoppelen) Foley and Gerald Foley. Katherine grew up in Hollis with her siblings Jerome , James, Virginia, and Dennis, now deceased. Katherine attended St, Gerard Magellan Elementary School and Mercy Juniorate. Upon graduating from Mercy High School Juniorate, Katherine attended SUNY at New Paltz for one year. Katherine Foley met James F. Bensen in 1949. After a whirlwind courtship they married on November 25, 1950. They bought a home in East Meadow and moved to 670 Blackstone Avenue at the beginning of 1951. They joined St Raphael’s Parish Community. Katherine was very proud that she was a “three church parishioner.” Together James and Katherine raised six children: Timothy (Sherri), Patricia (the late Bradley Hutter), Maureen (Frank), Cecilia (Michael), Mary (Walter), and Eileen. James preceded her in death in 1999. Katherine has fourteen grandchildren Tara (Michael), Matthew, the late Timothy, Christine (Ryan), Katherine (Michael), Joseph (Caitlin), Jordan (Kristen), Daniel, Thomas (Jacqualyn), James, Derry (Brian), Nora, Emily, and Katelyn. Katherine has thirteen great-grandchildren: Sean, Hunter, Dublin, Francesca, Keara, Mason, Theresa, Jameson, Violet, Charlotte, Frankie, Spencer, and Mary Katherine. While raising her family, Katherine was involved in her parish and community. Among other organizations she served in the Rosary Society, as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts, and as a Girl Scout mother and leader. When Katherine’s youngest daughter was in kindergarten, she returned to college. She attended Nassau Community College and received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Molloy College in 1973. Upon graduation she entered a Masters in Reading program at Hofstra University. Katherine taught at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary for more than 20 years. Her work at ‘the Queen’ brought her great joy.

During the 1990’s Katherine was a lobbiest for the Alzheimer’s Association and was involved in St. Raphael’s Parish Outreach. In addition, Katherine was deeply involved with retreat work- especially the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life- with her dear friend the late Rose Lisi, During Katherine’s last year her mobility was limited, yet she stayed present to her family—as our Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.