Mary Ellen Bennett

Mary Ellen Bennett, age 73 of Beaverton, Oregon went in peace to be with her Lord on March 28, 2023. She lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in a mere 13 days, surrounded by her family in love and care as she entered her special place in heaven.

Mary was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1949 as the 5th of 9 children. She grew up in a loving Catholic family with Christ in her heart. To her joy having 4 brothers and 4 sisters, she was never without something to do or someone to take care of. She was married to Charles Bennett in the summer of 1968 and divorced in 1990. She moved to Beaverton, Oregon in 1975 and raised her family there with devotion and care for the remainder of her life. Mary gave generously and freely to any and all that needed her. If you knew Mary, you knew that you were loved. Whether it was when she worked at AT&T Paradyne, Applied Materials or with her charitable work at Imagine Possibilities, there was never any doubt that Mary would give her time and attention to anyone in need.

Mary was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Her unconditional love was a beauty to behold and given freely to everyone she knew. When her son Jason was born with special needs, her faith never wavered. She raised him against all odds, with the knowledge that God would provide for those in need and that God would never give her more than she could handle. Navigating all the challenges that come with raising a child with such needs, she always knew the Lord would show her the way, and he did! Jason not only survived his first year of life, but is still with us today at age 47. He is able to walk, communicate and take care of himself; all of which they said he would never do. If you ever wanted to see the work of Christ personified on this earth, you simply needed to watch our mother with Jason. She did not teach anyone how to serve, she showed them!

Mary is survived by her four children, Chris Bennett, Jennifer Russell, Jason Bennett, and Melissa Pettitt; her children-in-law, Garren Stanley and Ben Pettitt; and her four most precious grandchildren, Emily Scott, Lily Pettitt, Stephen Pettitt and Abby Russell. Mary was preceded in death by her 3 brothers, Mike Mendenhall, Tom Mendenhall and Steve Mendenhall; and survived by her 4 sisters, Connie Pigman, Cathy Baugh, Judy Anderberg, and Debbie Tavernier and her baby brother John Mendenhall.

Mary’s service will be held at 4 PM on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Beaverton, OR with a reception to follow at Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Imagine Possibilities, imaginepossibilities.net, in her honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Bennett family.