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Submitted: 8/27/16 • Approved: 8/29/16 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R109635-G109634-S3
March 1, 1918 - March 3, 2016
Wife of John C. Caris, First Lieutenant United States Air Force
Wife Mother US Athlete Poet
Section 99 Marker 378
GPS 32min 43sec 07.7sec N & 96deg 56min 27.2sec W
Fan Benno-Caris of Addison, Texas, died in her home, her husband John holding her hand, on March 3, 2016. She was 98 years old. Fan was born at home in Dublin, Texas late at night on February 28, 1918. When the nurse filled out her birth certificate it was past midnight and she dated the birth on March 1, 1918. Fan’s parents were Morris and Esther (Novit) Hoffman who immigrated to the United States from Russia. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Max Hoffman and Sol Hoffman. In high school, Fan won a state championship in tennis, and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She earned a full four-year scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin, but decided instead to go to Dallas with her best friend and attend Draughons Business College. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper. In 1937 she married the late Martin Benno in Dallas, Texas. Fan and Martin had three sons: the late Larry Benno of Hendersonville, Tennessee; Steve Benno of Allen, Texas; and Bob Benno of Montclair, New Jersey. Fan sent all three sons to college by getting a real estate brokers license, and was one of the earliest female commercial real estate brokers in Dallas. Later she opened her own company, Fan Realty. Fan has seven grandchildren: Bill Benno, Ricky Benno, Marisa Gordon, Mark Benno, Greg Benno, Kimberly Johnson, and Jia Benno. Her nine great grandchildren are: Sam Benno, Chloe Gordon, Ricky Gordon, Carter Benno, Grant Benno, Kathryn Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Joseph Benno, and Caleb Benno. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren called her Mimi. In 1981, Fan married John Clayton Caris, whom she had met as one of her counseling clients. Fan and John shared a life and love of athletics. They lived part of their time at Lake Chapalla in Mexico, where Fan was the consummate hostess. Fan lived an extraordinary and full life. Besides being mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she was a dance instructor and accomplished bridge player. As a member of the Texas Poetry Society, she published several books of poems and won second place in a national contest. Fan was a beautiful woman both inside and out. She liked to dress in pink from head to toe and won the coveted title of Ms. Senior Texas America in 2005. She loved people and was a friend, counselor, and advisor to more than a thousand people from across the United States – she was always ready to listen to people and help them through their struggles. Fan also was a member of PEO Sisterhood, whose members help to educate women of all ages. Fan loved fitness and encouraged others to be physically fit as well. She addressed audiences on living life to the fullest and shared her life motto, “Just Keep Moving.” She also frequently said, “I just forgot to get old.” Dr. Kenneth Cooper referred to Fan as the role model for what aging should look like. Fan learned to swim after she was 60 years old, and in her late sixties found a love for race walking after hearing a speaker at the Cooper Aerobics Center. She told him, “I can do that.” But he told her, “people train for a lifetime to be a race walker, you are too late.” She responded, “that is just like dancing the Rhumba, and I am going to do it.” And she did! She entered her first race walking competition at the age of 70. Fan became a world class athlete, winning gold medals and setting numerous USA and world records for 1500, 3000, 5000, and 10000 meter races for women in their seventies, and eighties. Fan set five world records and seven USA records. In competitions she won 58 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze medals, traveling all over the world to compete, win, and set records. One record she set is particularly amazing. At the age of 86, during the 2004 USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Boston, Fan smashed the existing 3000 meter world record by 1 minute and 37 seconds. In addition, due to her athletic excellence, she was selected to carry the Olympic Torch in the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. At the age of 93, Fan took up politics and ran for a city council position in Addison, Texas. Her campaign made the national news on television. Many people have memories of Fan. But most would say, “I remember Fan as the most caring person I ever met” – and they would be right. We will never forget you Fan, Mom, Mimi, or however you knew her – she was special and one of a kind. “. . . a woman who has lived, but not too long, nor long enough.” From A Woman of a Certain Age by Fan Benno. If it is your wish, you may make a contribution to the charity of your choice. A visitation will be held from 6:00 - 9:00pm on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Allen Family Funeral Options. There will be a private (family only) burial at Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery.
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Contributed on 8/27/16 by gasirek
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Record #: 109635