Margaret “Maggie” Ann McNulty Benefiel, 83, Lawrence, died January 27, 2024, at LMH Health following a short battle with cancer.
Maggie was born February 6, 1940, on the family farm outside of Coffeyville, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph Frederick and Mildred Louise (Wynns) McNulty. She graduated from Field Kindley High School, Coffeyville, in 1958, the University of Kansas with a degree in education in 1962 and later a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State University.
Maggie lived in Cleveland, Ohio for many years and taught high school English in the Cleveland public schools for 33 years. After retirement she moved to Wichita where she resided until moving to Lawrence in 2022 to be closer to family.
She married Donald Solocier in 1964. They divorced. Maggie married Tom Benefiel at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Coffeyville, Kansas on November 6, 2003. He survives at the home.
Besides her husband, Maggie is survived by her brother Joe (Shirley) McNulty, Gardner, Kansas, three step-children, Greg (Helen) Benefiel, Lawrence, Kansas, Mike Benefiel, Osage Beach, Missouri, and Julie Benefiel, Aurora, Colorado, five step-grandchildren, David Benefiel, Lawrence, Rachel Benefiel (Alex Garcia), London, England, Taylor Benefiel, Overland Park, Kansas, Kyle Benefiel, Kansas City, Missouri, and Katie Benefiel, Overland Park, Kansas, and nieces and nephews, Celeste (Clif) Harden, McKinney, Texas, Michael McNulty, Gardner, Kansas, Diane Scott, Lawrence, Kansas, David (Marilynn) McNulty, Gilberts, Illinois, Tamela (David) Eitle, Indianapolis, Indiana, Elizabeth McNulty (Larry Abel), Lenoir City, Tennessee, Fred Tauz, Bentleyville, Ohio, and Paul (Christine) Brooks, Paradise, Michigan.
Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Mildred “Louise” McNulty Cole, a brother, Robert “Francis” McNulty, and two nephews, Doug Cole and Daniel McNulty.
Maggie was a beloved wife, sister, aunt, great aunt, and a devoted friend and neighbor who will be terribly missed. As an English teacher she positively impacted thousands of students in the Cleveland Public Schools. Her interests also included the arts, reading, travel, volunteering, and education. Maggie was a generous patron of the arts and a longtime member and supporter of the Episcopal church.
Friends may call from noon to 7 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. The family will meet with friends at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 613 S. Elm St., Coffeyville, Kansas, beginning on Saturday, February 3rd, beginning at 10:00 prior to the service.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 613 S. Elm St., Coffeyville with burial following at Restlawn Cemetery, Coffeyville.
The family suggests memorials to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Coffeyville, sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
