Benita K. Harvey

Benita Katherine Harvey, 96, of Austin, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2016. A Memorial Service is planned for 10am, Monday, February 1, at St. Louis King of France Church, 7601 Burnett Rd, Austin, 78757. Arrangements are under the care of Distinctive Life Cremations & Funerals of Austin. Benita Katherine (Tilton) Harvey was born September 17, 1919 in Chicago, IL to James and Katherine Keating Tilton. She was the last of three children. Benita graduated from Parker High School in 1936 and worked as a vari-typer for The Chicago Tribune She met Philip Douglas Harvey in 1939 and married November 15, 1941. They traveled to San Diego, CA in a borrowed 1941 Chevrolet, and found an apartment in Mission Beach, one block away from the Pacific Ocean. Life was good. During a trip to Balboa Park in San Diego, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon December 7, 1941, their camera and film were confiscated and they were told to black out the kitchen window that faced the ocean. Air raid sirens sounded, and with that- World War II had arrived. Philip was working as an engineer at Convair Aircraft, designing military aircraft engines. He received a draft notice in the mail, they returned to Chicago to report for duty, but he was never enlisted, as they preferred him to design the important engines. Benita had three children: John Thomas Harvey, Sandra Lee Harvey Shinn, and Richard Michael Harvey, born in '44, '48, and '56. During their 62 year marriage, Philip and Benita lived in several states including Illinois, California, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They lived in Ojai, CA just before moving to Austin. Benita was an active leader in Girl Scouts, active as an officer in the League of Catholic Women, and in her church, St. Thomas Aquinas in Ojai. She loved playing the piano and was very accomplished. Always having closets full of clothes, shoes, hats, purses, and jewelry, Benita dressed well and took pride in her appearance. Benita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip, in 2003. Survivors - John Harvey, wife Shirley Harvey, of Oakley, IL, Andrew Harvey, wife Sarena Harvey, of Alexandria , VA, Sandra Shinn, husband, Richard Shinn , of Point Venture, TX, Richard Harvey, of Tuscon, AZ, grandchildren - Michelle Shinn Jones, Healy Jones, of San Mateo, CA, Kari Shinn Raman, of San Francisco, CA, Brendan Shinn, wife Ida Shinn, of Austin, TX, one great granddaughter, Juliette Jones, of San Mateo, CA.