Bennett, Yvonne Charlotte After a long life devoted to family, friends, and students, Yvonne Bennett passed away on Friday, December 7, at Fountain View Retirement Village in Fremont. She was born on March 24, 1919, in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of the late Charles and Bernice (Gilbert) Valentine. She spent her childhood in Oakland, CA, and Greeley, CO, before returning to Kalamazoo and graduating from State High in Kalamazoo in 1935. In 1939 she was part of Western Michigan Universitys first graduating class in speech therapy. She worked as a speech therapist in Grand Rapids during WWII and in the Fremont Public Schools for 15 years. While raising her children, she also spent 13 years serving as a correspondent for the Muskegon Chronicle, and donated her writing skills to several organizations. She was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Fremont for over 50 years, serving them as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, and most recently as publicity chair for the womens fellowship. She was a member of the Friends of the Library, being an ardent reader of 4 or 5 books a week, and also served on the Hospital Auxiliary. After retirement she took art classes and enjoyed painting for many years, along with working in her garden, swimming, playing bridge, and socializing with her many friends. She married Frank Parker n 1938, and he preceded her in death in 1962. She married Harry Bennett in 1974; he passed in 1983. She was also preceded in death by a son, Donald Parker; brother, Victor Valentine; two sisters, Mary Valentine and Ann Weissert; and step-grandson, Spc. Dennis Sampson, Jr., who died in 2006 while serving in Iraq. Her survivors include one son, Frank (Ruth) Parker of Saline; two daughters, Kathi (Shawn) Teegardin of Big Rapids and Karen Parker of Colorado Springs; two stepsons, Tom (Linda) Bennett of Hesperia and Mike (Pat) Bennett of Fremont; eleven grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. All of them will miss her warm laugh and the greeting cards (often hand-painted) she never forgot to send for a birthday or anniversary. Memorial services for Yvonne were held on Wednesday, December 12, at the First Congregational Church in Fremont. For a more lasting memorial, friends are asked to consider the Fremont Area District Library. Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont. Click here to post a condolence or memory of Yvonne Bennett Family on-line Frank, Kathy, Karen and other family members, I have had the blessing of Yvonne in my life since before her presence at my wedding July, 1966 in Denver, CO. I spent years singing with her in the Congregational Church choir and enjoyed the joy of receiving her cards without fail. I share Book Circle, Writer's Live, a love of swimming, coffee group and many more activities. But the memory which I cherish the most is that of friend, and Yvonne has been a friend to me who has taught me courage, grace, understanding, and meaning in my life. We have shared laughter, and our inmost hearts and given each other unconditional love. I have marveled at her indominatible spirit in the face of physical challenges which she also had in emotional difficulties. I grieve the physical presence of her in my life, but do not grieve her freedom. And I have her with me in spirit and as mentor for a life well-lived. Each morning upon awakening, one of the first sights I have in view is a painting of poppies she did, a reminder of her beauty and love of strong color! I send you each my love and thanks for the gift I've had of a wonderful woman named Yvonne as friend. Love, Barbara White posted 12/8/07 Dear Fred and Ruth, I'm so sorry to hear of your great loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Jerry Woodring posted 12/8/07 Ynonne was so very special to me. I am glad for the time that I was given to care for her and get to know her and her family. She will always have a special place in my heart. I will miss not only her, but her family which I felt became mine. Sincerely & with love & hugs, Bev Herrmann posted 12/9/07 ______________________________________________________________________ For Fred Parker and Family: Fred The loss of a parent is a part of all our lives and, although difficult to handle, we should look on the positive of all the things that she gave to you over the years. We gather untold riches from out parents and it is difficult to remember them all. Trying to list them sometimes helps. You're fortunate to have had her for so long with so many things that she did for the family and for the community. Celeberate her life, don't have sorrow over her passing. I'm sure she would like it that way. You have Antoinette's and my condolences for this loss. Best wishes on the future. Dan Weirich Class of '58 posted 12/9/07 _____________________________________________________________________ Kathy, Bonnie and I are very sorry for your loss. John John W. Woodring The University of Michigan Payroll Department G395 Wolverine Tower 3003 South State Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1279 Phone: (734) 647-3967 Fax: (734) 647-3983 e-mail: [email protected] posted 12/10/07 ______________________________________________________________________ To the family of Yvonne Bennett; Your mother was a dear friend to my parents, Bob and Betty Eisner. I first met your mother when I was a student at Fremont High School. I had the great opportunity to be able to retain ties with Yvonne over the years; holiday in Cancun with the gang, etc., and always I received a loving, artistic birthday card. Know that you had a wonderful, caring mother and that is a treasured gift. For those that we have loved, they leave footprints forever on our heart. These footprints become memories that last a lifetime. Please enjoy the memories as Yvonnes friends will also. Sincerely, Elaine Eisner posted 12/10/07 ______________________________________________________________________ I think of Aunt Yvonne as the mainstay of the family! The one who has always been there to keep us together. What will become of us now We mustn't let her passing allow us to let go of one another! There is a new generation coming who needs to know who they are and where they came from! When I think of Aunt Yvonne, I picture her by the pool, always. Stylish, warm and fun. Always welcoming, no matter if years had passed since she had seen you. Aunt Ann shared this quality also. I admired her resiliency in the face of tragedy, change, and aging. When she took up painting as a retirement project (I believe that was when), and had such talent for it, it really struck me how amazing she was, and that growing older needn't mean you quit living, trying new things, etc. She serves as a vibrant role model for us all. I am honored to have some of her pictures. I am also tickled to remember a conversation when Buck and I were visiting her after she quit smoking. She stated emphatically that if she chose to resume smoking, she would, right now she chose not to smoke, but she reserved the right to go back to it if she felt like it! We could only say,"Good for You!" No one was telling her what she could and shouldn't do . . . And now she has left us in the same way, on her own terms as much as anyone can decide these things. She will be missed by so many and in such heartfelt ways, but she will never be forgotten. Thank you, thank you for this opportunity to pour our hearts out a little for such a grand dame. Love, Freda (niece) posted 12/11/07 _____________________________________________________________________ To Yvonne's Family, Bob & I just wanted to say "we will miss her too". She has been a part of our lives off and on since before we married in 1961, and always made us feel welcome, wanted, and our lives of interest to her. It's ironic that I was just making out a Christmas Card list and thinking that I really needed to drop her a line as it has been to long a time between visits to Fremont. You have many wonderful memories, as do we, which makes us all very lucky. Sincerely, Bob & Karen Peterson posted 12/11/07 _____________________________________________________________________ Dear Fred, Kathy, Karen and family, If life is measured by the quality and number of one's friendships, Yvonne's life was filled and overflowing. My childhood years were spent living on Pine Street, where the Parkers, the Wakefields, the Kleins and later the Van Duzen family all lived in close proximity. The women (Yvonne, Kathryn, Joan and Helen) became lifelong friends. They shared the joys and sorrows of each other's lives, and they took pride in all the neighborhood children. When the Parker family moved to Apache Drive and a swimming pool became available, daily coffee klatches moved pool side. The friendships of these women never stopped growing. They were a special gift to one another, and jointly they raised children, who felt valued and loved. At age 65 I think about Yvonne and give thanks. She was a great model and a friend, whose support of us never wavered. Appreciatively and with affection from the whole Klein family, Mary Lou Klein Kansfield posted 12/13/07 _____________________________________________________________________ To the Parker Family I have on my nightstand a pictures of six women who were the best of friends and for me the best role models- Mom Klein, Kathyrn Wakefield Bovard, Mag Kraai, Helen Van Duzen, Yvonne Parker Bennett, and Syliva Blandford. I never realized how good I had it living on Pine St and watching these tremendous women and their friendship. My heart goes out to you all. Losing a parent makes us think of our own comings and goings. It has been an blessing to be involved in the life of Yvonne Bennett. I'm sure there is a large coffee pot in heaven and now she is sitting with the girls catching up on the news. If anyone would like a copy of the picture of the "Glorious Six" I would be happy to make copies. Drop me a line. Again my deepest love for you all. Susan Klein Torp 1316 Monroe Blvd. South Haven, Mi 49090 posted 12/13/07