Doralese Freeman Benziger, 89, of Branford, beloved wife of the late George F. Benziger, Jr., died Nov. 10 in Connecticut Hospice after a long illness. She was born Aug. 24, 1924 in New Glouster, Maine to the late William and Hazel Simonton Freeman.

She was an avid scrabble player with longtime friends Dr. Elizabeth Adams, Emma Mitchell, and Agnes Lukens. Doralese and her husband George were longtime members of the Shoreline Trolley Museum, and she was also a member of the Odd Fellows.

She is survived by her children George F. Benziger III of New Haven, Jerry A. Benziger and his wife Monica of North Carolina, William F. Benziger of Iowa, and Robert L. Benziger and his wife Catherine of Iowa; her brother Gordon Freeman of Cheshire; three grandchildren, Sara Woolf and Timothy and Kovin Benziger; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Kaitlyn and Henry.

Friends may call Friday, Nov. 15 from 5 -8 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Services will be held Saturday. Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, followed by burial in Alder Brook Cemetery, Boston St, Guilford. Contributions in Mrs. Benziger’s memory may be made to the Shoreline Trolley Museum, 17 River St, East Haven, CT 06512. The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.