Margaret Bennsky Gainer

Aiken, SC — Margaret (Marti) Bennsky Gainer, age 98, passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 22, 2026. The third of six children, Marti was predeceased by her parents, George and Glaydes Fisher Bennsky, her husband of 66 years, Bob Gainer, and her elder son, Rob.

Marti is survived by her son Brett J. Gainer of Sacramento, CA; two daughters, Jill L. Gainer and Lei Gainer of Aiken, SC; and her youngest brother, Paul Bennsky of Annapolis, Maryland.

A dedicated homemaker and loving mother, Marti served as a leader for both Campfire Girls and Boy Scouts. Throughout her long life she was an avid gardener, bridge player, and golfer An accomplished and award-winning artist, she was especially proficient in watercolors, oils, and pen & ink drawings.

Marti graduated from Maryland Park High School in 1944. During World War II she worked as a secretary for the U.S. Navy Department in Washington, DC. After several years, she transitioned to another administrative position at the U. S. Census Bureau in Suitland, MD.

In 1948 she married the love of her life, Bob Gainer, whom she had met during their high school years. They began raising their family in District Heights, MD, before moving to Brookeville, MD, where they also raised cattle and horses. During this time, Marti became president of The Montgomery General Hospital Guild in Olney, MD, successfully raising the funds for a new maternity unit.

In 1974, Marti and Bob co-founded R.J. Gainer and Son, Inc., a construction firm, that built several upscale residential communities and custom homes in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. In 1997, they retired to Williamsburg, VA, where they had spent their honeymoon. There they built a new home in Governor’s Land where they enjoyed many years as members of Two Rivers Country Club. In 2007, they relocated to Woodside Plantation in Aiken, SC, to be closer to their daughter Jill, and joined Woodside Country Club (WCC).

Marti was a member of WCC’s Ladies Golf Association and the Woodside Niners. For the past five years she was a resident of Cumberland Village’s independent senior living community where she made many new friends among both the residents and staff. A woman of enormous warmth and charm, she will be missed terribly by friends and family.

Inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on July 27, 2026 in the Sanctuary at St. John’s Methodist Church, where Marti was a member. There will be a reception in the Narthex immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John’s Methodist Church, P.O. Box 809, Aiken, SC 29802.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC