Anna Benson's Obituary

[byrdhenriksen]

Anna Lynn Benson died on November 23, 2009, in Boquete, Panama. Born in Columbia, South Carolina on December 19, 1949, Anna was a sixth generation Columbian and lived most of her life here. She attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and was graduated from Dreher High School in 1967. She continued her education at Stratford College in Danville, Virginia, and was graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English, a Master’s Degree in Library Science, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. Anna was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Blessed with intelligence and creativity, Anna developed her interests in fitness and history into many prestigious, noteworthy accomplishments. Always an ardent exerciser, Anna taught swimming lessons as a teenager to many of Columbia’s children. In 1979, she founded the very successful and popular exercise studio, The Body Firm, in Charleston and Columbia. For more than 20 years, she created award-winning exercise techniques and trained numerous instructors in instructional performance. Beginning in 1986, Anna collaborated with her former husband, filmmaker Mark Henriksen, and her sister, Cynthia Benson, to create a best-selling library of exercise videos entitled The Firm. This ground-breaking series generated ongoing business with media giants such as Time- Life, BMG and Broadway Books; world-wide sales of The Firm have exceeded 100 million copies since the release of the first video. Anna also addressed specific needs of older exercisers with her later videos FitPrime and Fitness Favorites. Fitness favorites will continue to operate under the direction of her son Byrd Henriksen, Annette Bethel, and Ezequiel Diaz.

Based on her special interest in the history of the South, Anna also created, in collaboration with Mark Henriksen and Cynthia Benson, two internationally award-winning documentary films about the history and culture of the two Southern cities: The Key West Picture Show (1978) and Dear Charleston (1980) received multiple first-prize awards and five-star reviews from notable sources including the New York Times and the American Film Institute. Reflecting Anna’s insightful interviewing skills and vibrant, energetic perspective, these fresh and entertaining films remain in print today.

Anna is survived by her husband, Herbert Jabloner; her father, Herbert L. Benson, Jr., and his wife, Barbara Quick (Long) Benson; her mother, Anna Marian Stanley Tucker, and her husband, Hubert W. Tucker; her sons, William Byrd Stanley Henriksen and Mark Herbert Phillips Henriksen; and her sisters, Cynthia Benson Clarke of Columbia, South Carolina, Frieda Benson Grimball of Norfolk, Virginia, and Sara Elizabeth Benson of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the generation of instructors who continue to build on her legacy of achievement in exercise science, Anna also leaves behind countless exercise enthusiasts who continue to use and enjoy her informative, entertaining works.

The family in Columbia wishes to thank Herbert Jabloner, Scott Williams and the doctors and nurses at Chiriqui Hospital in David, Panama, for their expert care and compassion. Memorials may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7791, Columbia, SC 29202, or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or to the Building Fund, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Friends may call at the homes of her parents.

A memorial service for the family and friends celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, December 1, 4:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina, The Reverend Dr. Tony A. Metze, pastor, officiating. Interment will be scheduled for a later date. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.

[magnolia]

Anna was certainly a great lady. I did not personally know her, but felt as though I did. I have been a "firm believer" since Volume One was released in 1986. I was impressed that whenever I had a question about one of the newer tapes, I could email her and she would answer personally.

I certainly feel as if I have lost a dear friend. She and her family will certainly be in my prayers during this difficult time. May God bless you all.

Teresa Bader

[Pambie36]

I was very saddened to learn of Anna's passing, having been a long-time fan since the 80's and the introduction of Volume 1. Where else could you find timeless, classic elegance in an exercise video - not to mention phenomenal RESULTS?! I don't think that there was one single workout that Anna produced that I did not love - even (if not especially) the "ballroom" aerobics. Sending condolences to family & friends.
Best,
Pam

[vciera]

Thank you for posting this obituary Byrd. I had the joy and honor of meeting your mother once and am forever thankful for her in bringing health and fitness to my home by amazing videos.

I am so glad that you will carry on her tremendous work. My condolences and prayers to you and your family.

God bless,
Vennitta

[stacy4ft9]

Byrd,

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was an incredible woman and touched so many lives, including mine. I was fortunate have the chance to meet her in 2004 during the FitPrime infomercial, as one of the infomercial particpants. It was the FIRM workouts that changed my life 13 years ago and I really owe so much to her (and of course Cynthia and your father) for all that they did within the fitness industry.

And I am so incredibly appreciative that you will be carrying on with her project. I haven't yet been able to purchase the newly converted DVDs but will make a point to do so and am thrilled to know that you'll be working on this.

[stacy4ft9]

I also just wanted to say, Byrd, that this forum hasn't been super active, as you might be able to tell. However, the forum at Video Fitness and Firm Ya Ya's is a flurry of activity with the news of her death. Your message on the home page has already been noted in the two forums that I mentioned so the word is out that you are carrying on with her project.

[Vanessa]

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Even though I didn't personally know Anna, I feel as though I did. She was so passionate about her work. She made a huge difference in my life and my health. I will pray for you and your family.

[Vanessa]

I am so saddened and my prayers will be with Anna's family. She made a difference in so many people's lives, my included! I feel such a loss.

[TapiocaPudding]

I am so sorry to hear that Anna Benson is no longer with us. Her & her exercise videos were an inspiration to many. In the early 1990s, her videos changed my attitude towards exercise for the better & introduced me to weights as part of a fitness routine. She produced among the best video workouts ever & her presence in the fitness industry will be missed greatly. I did not know her personally, but in my opinion it was clear she cared greatly about communicating the importance of total health. From posting tidbits about nutrition to bolding creating a workout that addressed prevention of female incontinence, she gave us the tools to achieve greater health. She will be dearly missed.

[anetta]

I, like many others started with the Firm Volume 1 and continued to purchase everthing Anna produced. Her workouts are like no others, I wish I could have met her someday to let her know how much I appreciated her workouts.

I'm am glad to hear that you will carry on her work.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends.

Anita

[gemologygal]

Anna's work has influenced many of the positive choices I've made in my life.

I will never forget the first time I had heard of The FIRM. I was a 14-year old teenager in high school and I recall seeing the stunning magazine advertisments and I remember being so impressed. I had been wanting to start a new fitness program and The FIRM seemed like it would be a perfect choice. Once my mom was on board to try it with me, we agreed to order Volumes 3 and 6 (back when they were $50 for vhs!), plus the equipment. We were hooked and soon enough, became FIRM believers. As a teenager using The FIRM, the most important lesson it taught me was to build a strong self-esteem. Sadly, many teenagers go through their teen years with a loss of self-confidence. I was fortunate to have learned the opposite, thanks to the mind-body connection Anna's workouts fueled. What a privilege too to have been able to read and absorb the FIRM for Life book she and Cynthia wrote!

I added more tapes to my collection and loved the thrill of the purchase. When it came time to head to college, all of my FIRM equipment and tapes made the move with me into all of my dorm rooms. My confidence remained steady and my body stayed strong. Motivated and inspired by the philosophy behind The FIRM, I pursued and earned my bachelor's degree in Sport Science, with a concentration in Exercise Physiology.

Years later, when Anna shared the FitPrime vision with her devoted fans, she indicated that an "Angel" program would be in place to initially fund the creation of new workouts. Without a doubt I wasted no time sending off my $100 because I knew that whatever fitness idea Anna had, it was going to be golden and life-changing. I added more of her workouts to my collection and my body continued to respond in the most-positve ways. I'll never forget too the chance I had to talk to Anna over the phone one day when I called with a workout question. I told her that it felt like I was talking to a celebrity and I told her how much I respected and cherised the work she did for her fans.

No matter what, The FIRMs and FitPrime (basically, only Anna's creations) were constants in my life. I am 32 years old now, and it's been and 18 year relationship for me and Anna's work. When I heard about Anna's passing, I was so incredibly sad. She was a huge role model to me and her views shaped my life during the tender years when a person learns who they are and what they want to be.

God bless Anna and her family, and bless all of her fans and friends. Her work is priceless.

-Jen D'Arezzo

[LizO66]

I was deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Benson's death. Like many others, the Firm has changed my life. I started as a young woman - an out of shape, a newly married step-mom living in a new country. I was rather depressed. A well-to-do friend lent me her work out tape, and I was hooked. It changed my life forever. I certainly saved up my pennies to buy those $50 video tapes before they were even made! I am still a deeply devoted fan of the 'original' Firms, Fitprimes, and basically anything Anna put her stamp of approval on! Though I never met Anna, she touched my life in a very personal way. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Anna was a remarkable lady and will truly be missed...

Fondly,
Liz

[ncl]

Byrd,

I am sorry for your loss. I appreciate your continuing on with your mothers work and posting her obituary here. Your mother made a signficant contribution to the world. Because of her, I began working out regularly at her Columbia studio beginning in 1987 and have been an avid, regular exerciser since. I have seen many posts on other boards of many women saying the same. Though I never met your mother in person, she has influenced my life tremendously and I am saddened at the news of her death. You and your family are in my prayers.

Nancy

[drthaisa]

I can only echo what everyone else has said about the influence of Anna Benson on my life. I had worked out off and on for years, but it wasn't until the Firm, back in 1998, that I found an fitness plan that I truly liked and to which I could stick. I can't claim to be completely faithful in my working out, but when I use the Firm consistently, I look and feel my best. I have raved about the Firm to many others.

What I admire about what Anna built is that she didn't create something that was a fad or only about appearance. The Firm workouts and food plans are based on plain good science and good sense. The Firm itself is about a lifestyle and a philosophy - about believing that you are worth the effort, about having a balanced life, and understanding the true priorities in life. Even though the Firm is in different hands now, the legacy that she leaves has and will live on.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family and everyone whose lives she touched. Thank you for sharing her with us.

[mommy22305]

Dear Byrd,

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for posting this obituary and am just regretful I only heard of her passing today. I never met Anna, but like the many others who have posted, I do feel that she changed my life. I first heard of THE FIRM as a chubby teenager growing up in Goose Creek, SC. I had seen the fabulous TV ads for the Vol. 1 and knew that THE FIRM had a studio in downtown Charleston, 20 miles away. One of the very first things I did upon entering the College of Charleston was to sign up at THE FIRM studio first located on King Street, following it when it moved to Beaufort Street. I loved everything about it and was just so proud to be a member. When after two years of being a member, an instructor asked me if I would like to be one also, well, I was just in 7th heaven! She was always an elusive presence to me, but whenever she was in the studio, everything was abuzz!

I am 40 years old now and through many international moves across the Pacific and the Atlantic, I had somehow lost track of my old VHS tapes of THE FIRM workouts. It was only when I googled Annal Benson this past summer did I find Fitness Favorites. I felt like I had come home and quickly ordered several volumes at once, with plans to purchase more!

Anna is no longer with us, but I am very happy that her work will carry on. Thank you, Byrd, for shouldering the responsibility. My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family.

[Tarheels]

Dear Byrd and the Benson family,

Anna and the Firm workouts have been a part of my life for over 15 years. I was fortunate enough to meet Anna, make friends through her forum and through her fitness vacations, and memories that I will cherish always. Anna had a creative spirit like no other. She has inspired me for over half my life, and I know she will continue to inspire me in all my fitness endeavors. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

[peggylive]

My entire body changed in the mid 1990's when I discovered The Firm and low carb dieting. For years I was running and eating a low calorie/high carb/low fat diet and not getting anywhere. On this forum, I had the chance to connect with Anna personally and discuss many health and fitness topics. I will miss her so much. There's not a workout DVD, health club workout, or fitness TV show out there today which wasn't influenced by her either directly or indirectly. Patty