Marilyn Bensman, who served as Democratic supervisor for the Lucas County Board of Elections for more than 25 years, died Saturday at her home in Maumee. She was 84.

Her death came after a long battle with diopathic pulmonary fibrosis. But even at the end of her life, she mustered the energy to travel to Columbus for her granddaughter’s wedding last August, said her daughter, Pamela Bensman.

Mrs. Bensman spent her career at the board of elections, where she had a reputation as an efficient and well-organized supervisor whose petite frame belied a strong will, co-workers said. In the late 1980s, she oversaw the board’s transition to a digital system for verifying petition signatures.

“Marilyn was always a pleasant person, always happy, but she was always worrying about the election,” said Gary Byers, a municipal judge who worked with her at the board of elections. “She always worried about getting it right. She would check and re-check and double check again. She was the kind of person you’d want overseeing elections.”

Lucas County Chief Deputy Treasurer Karen Poore got her start in county government when Mrs. Bensman hired her more than two decades ago. She said her old supervisor always “made sure that the job got done and we all did what we were supposed to do.”

“Glasses hanging on her nose, watching us work, making sure that we were doing our jobs — that’s the vision I have of her,” Ms. Poore said. “She made sure that the job got done.”

Despite her popularity at work, Mrs. Bensman remained humble, turning down a promotion to a higher position at the board of elections.

“She didn’t want to do it,” her daughter said. “She was happy where she was.”

Mrs. Bensman was born on Nov. 26, 1932, to Gilbert and Irma Brubaker. She grew up in Toledo, graduating from Scott High School in 1952.

A year later, Mrs. Bensman married her high school sweetheart, Thomas, who first asked her out on the way back from a football game during her junior year. She got her first job — as a poll worker — shortly after the wedding.

In 1999, she retired from the board of elections. She wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren and finish all the books she never had time to read.

She played pinochle in a neighborhood club and enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers with her husband. She traveled long distances — to places as far as North Carolina and Georgia — to watch her grandchildren play sports.

Mrs. Bensman was preceded in death by her son, Thomas, and her granddaughter Holly Seymour.

Surviving are her husband, Thomas; daughter, Pamela; sister, Sandra Baker; five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Newcomer Funeral Home, Southwest Chapel. Funeral services well be held Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, and at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns.

Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s choice.

Contact David Yaffe-Bellany at: dbellany@theblade.com, or 419-724-6050.

First Published June 13, 2017, 4:00 a.m.