Carol Anne (Benson) Martens, 72, a former teacher and longtime resident of Branford, passed away peacefully on Sept. 26, surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born in Waterbury to Ronald and Eunice (Coyle) Benson and grew up in Cheshire. She was the youngest of three siblings and is predeceased by her two brothers, Robert and Richard Benson.

Carol graduated from Cheshire High School in 1968 and attended Southern Connecticut State College (now University), where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education. After graduating from Southern in 1972, Carol enjoyed a 33-year career teaching health and physical education at Francis Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) in Branford before retiring in 2005. She was later inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame in 2010. Throughout her career, she instilled confidence and positivity in all of her students, often recognizing and encouraging strengths they did not realize they had. She was a mentor and a role model for multiple generations of Branford families, including many students who later became lifelong friends.

Carol met her husband, David Martens, in 1970 while they were both students at Southern. They married in 1973 and have resided in Branford for the past 50 years. Together, they enjoyed many decades of adventures, including camping in national parks, boating along the Connecticut shoreline, cruising through Alaskan glaciers, and listening to the waves at their favorite beaches from Maine to Florida.

In addition to her husband, Carol leaves behind a daughter, Jennifer Dangora and son-in-law Michael Dangora of Branford; and a son, Christopher Martens and daughter-in-law Stacey Martens of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She was especially proud of her five grandchildren: Benson and Eliza Martens and Noah, Jacob, and Hannah Dangora, with whom she spent countless hours laughing, playing games, reading stories, and supporting their every interest. She will forever be remembered for her thoughtful and generous spirit and ability to listen and comfort those in need.

Members of the community are invited to attend visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. A separate memorial service will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Closer to Free” fund at the Yale New Haven Smilow Cancer Hospital.