1986 – San Antonio, Texas & New Orleans, Louisiana
The former Grace Trudeau was born in New Orleans where she attended Gentilly Terrace School and St. Joseph’s Academy. Her love for the arts and drama came naturally and she studied voice prior to her association with the New Orleans Opera Guild. She and her husband, Tom Benson, are well known civic leaders. She is a member of the board of directors for the Benson Community Fund where she participates in periodic community relations meetings with employees of twenty-three automobile dealerships, two banks and the New Orleans Saints, all Benson ventures. She has spearheaded successful telethons for children’s hospitals in San Antonio and New Orleans as well as fundraisers for the American Heart Association. She has been on the board of the Louisiana State University Medical Center where she is founding chairman of the LSU Eye Gala. Grace M. Benson’s lifetime dedication to her business interests and her community has benefited many, as do her attributes of friendliness, helpfulness and caring. Her involvement in her two favorite cities of New Orleans and San Antonio has been extensive. The Bensons have five children and several grandchildren.
