Alma W. Benton (Allard), age 79, passed away on June 12th. She was born to the late Lawrence S. and Jeanne A. (Violette) Allard. 

Alma attended Holy Family School, Cathedral Grammar School and Cathedral High School graduating in 1964. After graduation, Alma entered into the Sisters of St. Joseph becoming Sister Lawrence Jeanne. She attended Our Lady of the Elms College graduating in 1969. Upon leaving the order in 1972, Alma worked at Wesson Memorial Hospital. During her life she received the Pius X award in 1992, and served as President of the Granger School PTO in Agawam. She was the Secretary and President of the Parish Council of Sacred Heart Church in Feeding Hills where she started a preschool Sunday school program to enrich children through young adults. She also worked as the CCD Secretary where she started a youth group.

Alma was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Clyde E. P. Benton in 2025. She was also predeceased by her brother George Allard, sister Patricia Allard, and sister-in-law Joanne Allard (Champion). She leaves three children. Keith W. and his wife Pashea Benton; Heidi M. and her husband Scott Fleury; Sheri L. and her husband Douglas Almeida. She leaves 6 grandchildren: Lilah and Elina Benton; Natalie and Wesley Fleury; Andrew and Christopher Almeida. She leaves one brother Lawrence Jr. Allard, and a sister-in-law, Christine Allard. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to meet for a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am on June 23 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Pine St. West Springfield, followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery.

Calling hours will be 5-7pm on June 22 at the Toomey O'Brien Funeral Home in West Springfield. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew Street in Springfield, MA, Shriners Children’s Hospital, or to St. Judes Hospital.