JoAnn Bensen *
JoAnn Bensen, 77, of Fairfax, passed away on November 20, 2023. JoAnn was born in Washington, DC on March 22, 1946. Her parents, Joseph and Haseltine Shockey. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. After graduation, she married Bruce Bensen and moved to New Egypt, New Jersey. While in New Jersey, she had two sons, Ethan and Bret. In 1980 she returned to Virginia with her family to work on their family farm.
JoAnn loved to travel. She traveled the globe with her family, spending time visiting every corner of the US and Europe. More than the destinations, she loved spending time with her family on these trips and meeting new people.
Gardening was JoAnn’s passion. Later in life she returned to college and received her degree in Horticulture. She was a member and leader in multiple garden clubs. This included serving as the President of both the Rocky Run Garden Club from 1990 to 1992 and the Garden Club of Fairfax from 2001 to 2003. She also spent time working at Greenworks Landscaping in Chantilly, VA. She loved to talk plants and landscaping with her friends and family.
JoAnn leaves behind her husband, Bruce Bensen, her sons Bret and Ethan, and four grandchildren, Maia, Elise, Caralyne, and Joseph.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church from 6pm-8pm. A service will be held at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church on December 2, 2023, at 10am. The Church is located at 43987 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly, VA. Burial will occur after the service at Oakwood Cemetery located at 401 Roosevelt Boulevard, Falls Church, VA.