Sylvia (Sue) Ann Riggins Benson, of Aliquippa, passed away after an unexpected illness and went home to be with the Lord on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Roberta (Jackson) Riggins, one brother, Donald (Don) "Riggs" Riggins and three sisters, Frankie Mae Riggins, Gwendolyn Ann Riggins, and Billie Faye Riggins as well as brother-in-law Bruce Leon Benson and mother-in-law, May V Benson. Born August 8, 1952, in Alabama, Sylvia was one of seven beloved children of Frank and Roberta Riggins. She was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and Slippery Rock University where she earned a BS in Secondary Education, a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology, and completed a Principal Certification Program. She is also a graduate of the Drug and Alcohol Counseling Program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Sylvia was an experienced educator and dedicated public servant with more than three decades of experience teaching, shaping, and guiding students. She served as a teacher, an intervention/prevention specialist, a guidance counselor, and as Assistant High School Principal in the Aliquippa School District. She retired as the Principal of Aliquippa Jr./Sr. High School in 2011.  In addition to her career with her beloved Aliquippa School District where she also served as a member of the Aliquippa School Board, Sylvia Benson worked in the Midland, PA Borough School District, the Fulton County, Georgia Public School District, and the Community College of Beaver County.

Sylvia was a devoted and faithful member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Aliquippa, various professional organizations, and on the Board of Directors for the Family Life Center.

Sylvia was a trailblazer in her community, a philanthropist, an avid gardener, shopper, and she loved to cook for family and friends. Her greatest joy however, was being a grandmother to her dear grandson, Henry. She will be dearly missed by her childhood friends in her hometown of Aliquippa, her devoted friends from high school and Slippery Rock University, and those across the region and country who admired and loved her impeccable style, supportive and kind demeanor, dedication to civic engagement, and her infectious goal of making everyday a productive and good day.

Sylvia is survived by loving husband Ronny (Ron) Benson, daughter Olivia Benson (Andrew) Gallina, and grandson Henry Benson Gallina; Her loving siblings: Marcella (Terry) Brown of Metuchen, NJ, and Cindy Riggins of Aliquippa, PA; sister-in-law Abenna (Herman) Jones of Gulfport, MS, brother-in-law, James Hayes of Chicago, IL; nieces Adrienne Toliver of Stone Mountain, GA, Tyra (Vance) Walker of Hopewell Township, Allison & Allisia Jones of Gulfport, MS and Heather Conerly of Cedar Rapids, IA;  nephews Aaron & Nathan Riggins, nine great-nephews and three great-nieces, two great-great nieces, Godbrother Rev. Leroy Miles, dear cousin Wylai, and a host of loving uncles, aunts, cousins, former students and former colleagues, and dear friends locally and across the country.

Her family also wishes to thank clergy and prayer groups from across Aliquippa for their prayers and support during this difficult time.