MARY JOSEPHINE BENNETT (KAVANAGH)

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MARY JOSEPHINE BENNETT (nee KAVANAGH) Peacefully, after a brief confinement in the Misericordia Hospital in Caen, France, Mary Bennett died on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011. Mary was born in 1931 in Brandon, Manitoba. There she graduated from St. Michaels' Academy in 1949 and subsequently obtained degrees from St. Mary's College and from the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Social Work. By her many friends Mary was seen as a compassionate and brave person. These admirable characteristics did not prevent her from being a frivolous and sparkling Freshie Queen in 1950 nor from parenting her five sons with a limitless sense of humour. Mary was that special kind of person who, as a teenager, would face down a school yard bully, or as a young adult quit her job to spend time with her mother in her final months. As a wife she supported unreservedly the formation of her husband's academic career from early days at Brandon College and subsequently at Middlebury College, Vermont; the University of Saskatchewan at Regina, St. Paul's College in Winnipeg. Their journey ended with his doctoral studies at the University of Caen, France where Robert ultimately taught for many years. In those years Mary became a special friend to Canadian Veterans and their families who came to visit the nearby beaches of the D-Day Invasion and the environs of Caen where so many of our soldiers fought to liberate France. Mary was predeceased by her husband Robert. She is survived by her sons Charles (Isabelle), Robert (Caroline), Paul (Catherine), Daniel and Richard; her grandchildren Pierre, Olivier, Marion, Louise, Melanie, Mathilde, Marina, Thomas, Theo and Clara, and her brother Kevin Kavanagh of Winnipeg. A mass celebrating Mary's life was said at 3.00 p.m. in the Village of Authie, Normandy on Thursday, December 29. Donations may be made in Mary's memory to St. Mary's Academy, 550 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3M 0B9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2011