Janyce Nadine Bennett (Jan) passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019 of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert E. Bennett on July 1, 2018. She leaves behind their five children: Brooks, Holly, Peter, Scott and Chris. Additionally, she cherished her seven grandchildren: Hampton, Zachary, Casey, Carly, Samantha, Karla and Robert. The daughter of Myrtle and Earl William Wolter, Jan was born in Fairmont, Minnesota and spent her early years in Georgia and California. While living in Oakland, California and working for NAS Alameda, Jan met and fell in love with a Navy Aviator, Robert Bennett. They were engaged to be married on New Year’s Eve, 1951. Mom said years later that Dad was going out on WestPac and “didn’t want me running around while he was gone! He was shipping out and wanted me to wait for him.” After accepting his proposal, they married on June 29, 1952 upon his return home. Mom was an avid collector, garage sale and estate sale provocateur. She collected teapots and dishes, amongst other items. She was notorious for finding things that could be re-purposed or given new life by Dad. She might have said, “Bob, can you rewire and refinish this old lamp I found by the side of the road.” She was always so proud of Dad’s ability to work his “magic” on old and forgotten treasures. As an avid gardener, her backyard was a plethora of beautiful flowers and vignettes. One of our favorite traditions was the annual Easter Egg hunt in the backyard. The perpetual trophy went to the proud winner each year and to this day reflects the names of the winners and participants like an “Easter timeline” for thirty years! Always involved in her children’s endeavors, she encouraged us to pursue our interests. She was very involved in the arts and produced three exceptional artists. Over the years, she went to numerous art lectures and openings. She was a member of the San Diego Museum of Art, the Mingei Museum, Natural History Museum and the San Diego Zoological Society. For years Mom was heavily involved in the San Diego County Archeological Society where she went out to various dig sites and meetings. In addition, she volunteered with a cultural immersion program (UCSD Visiting Doctors). She had foreign doctors’ wives over to our home to teach conversational English and bake cookies! This included students from Japan, Korea and Italy, resulting in new friendships that continued throughout her lifetime. Our mother has now joined her true love in Heaven. She will not be forgotten, and her life will be celebrated by those who loved her. We will always cherish her memory, sense of humor and creativity. We will always cherish the love she imparted on her family and friends. We will always cherish her contributions to countless lives and causes. If she could talk on telephone right now, she would say, “This is Mom Bennett, everything is cool, I’m with your father once again, don’t worry about me, I am at peace now, I love and miss you all very much!” In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the ASPCA.
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