February 27, 1935 – April 1, 2022

Allison Reilly Benthul, 87, passed peacefully in her sleep in Webster, Texas after battling the effects of a major stroke for 17 years. Her life’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of William and Harriet Reilly and older sister to William Reilly III. Growing up in Dallas, she and her younger brother would frequently explore the outdoors and Allison developed a love for drawing. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1952. An active member of the Tri Delta Sorority, she graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1956 with a degree in Education and a minor in Home-Making. In 1957 she married Harless Benthul after meeting at Harless’s cousin’s wedding. They were married for 48 years until they parted amicably. They had one daughter together, Grace, whom they both adored.

Allison was passionate about education and taught elementary school for over 30 years in many locations the family moved, including Navasota, Texas, Holloman Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas and Alamogordo, New Mexico while Harless served in the Air Force. After Harless’s time in the Air Force, the family moved back to Dallas where Allison continued to teach in several Catholic schools and Mesquite ISD until her retirement in 1987. Allison and Harless moved to Friendswood, Texas in 1994 in order to be closer to their family where Allison poured her energy into being a mother, grandmother, and daughter-in-law. She hosted many special events for family and friends within the community and became certified as a Texas Master Gardner by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Allison continued to devote herself to education by serving as a volunteer to Friendswood elementary schools and helping to organize the local Junior Master Gardner program. An avid painter, her favorite inspirations included sailing on Galveston Bay, trips to the family cabin in the mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and her own beautifully cultivated backyard. She was a member and supporter of many Houston and Galveston area museums and performing arts centers including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, Houston Health Museum, Houston Children’s Museum, the Houston Zoo, Houston Grand Opera, and Moody Gardens. Allison was always seeking new adventures, including enrolling in Computer Science courses at San Jacinto Community College at age 63 and trips to New Mexico with her beloved dog Violet. Although her stroke resulted in hemiplegia, she remained active and devoted to her gardening and painting.

Allison was incredibly proud of her daughter, granddaughters, and their families and shared the collection of family photos and cards covering her door and walls with all her visitors.

She is survived by daughter, Grace Townsend and husband David of Friendswood; grand-daughters, Sarah Townsend and husband Richard, Mary Beth Hillenburg and husband Russell, Emily Hoskins and husband Hunter; five great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Reilly, Beverly Barry, and Martha Benthul; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many other relatives and cherished friends.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 10:30 A.M. at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546. 

In lieu of flowers, please honor Allison with a donation to the Houston Grand Opera at www.houstongrandopera.org  or the Houston Botanic Gardens at www.hbg.org.