Obituary of Jacqueline Bennett

Jacqueline "Jackie" R. Bennett, age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Saturday, May 5, 2012. She was with caregiver Christina who held her hand.Mama is the daughter of the late Irwin Rhizor and Arle Coughlin Rhizor. She was born in Bridgeport, OH on September 17, 1921 and grew up in Wheeling, WV where she graduated from Wheeling High School and then in Fairmont, WV where she met Daddy. They were married June 19, 1942 in Maryland and I was born four years later.Mama worked as a secretary in her early years while Daddy was in the Army Air Corps and before that at the Library of Congress. Mama was active in the Morgantown community. She was a member of the Eastern Star, White Shrine, Scottish Rites and Tri Delta Sorority. Mama was on many committees including those of Lakeview Country Club and the Pines. She supported many charities and still actively supported the Arts at WVU and the National Wildlife Foundation. In younger days, Mama loved dancing with Daddy, boating with Daddy on Cheat Lake, Chesapeake Bay, and in Florida. She enjoyed music, playing golf, tennis, bridge with her bridge clubs and croquet and badminton with me. She delighted in watching me dance at The Metropolitan Theater under the direction and choreography of Virginia Chittum. In later years she still enjoyed music, collecting Ashton Drake Heirloom Dolls, watching the birds, admiring her garden and seeing the sun rise and the moon glow. Throughout all her years Mama was devoted to her church, The First Christian Church, still receiving weekly Communion ministered to her by Tom Simonyi at our home on Rotary Street.Mama's greatest love was her family. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Daddy, July 15, 1996, renowned Architect Robert J. Bennett who " changed the face of Morgantown." Mama was most proud of his work at WVU, the many buildings including the renovation of Woodburn Circle and his design of Evansdale Library. Her pride in him was immense in all his architecture in the Tri State area. Mama's love for Daddy was unmeasurable.Mama was also preceded in death by her granddaughter Stephanie Anne Copeland Kanuck, my beautiful daughter. Stephanie died on May 5 also, but in 2007. God works in mysterious ways.Mama was also preceded in death by the following :Sister Annorah, and brothers Harold and Bill. Uncle Bill was married to the late Alene Coombs of Morgantown.Nephew Geoffrey Rhizor of Philadelphia, PA., son of her brother Harry and wife Jean.And lastly, nephew Thomas William Bennett who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and of whom the Bennett Towers and Bennett House are named at WVU.As her only child, Mama is survived by me, Sandra Leigh Bennett-Taylor, formerly of Morgantown and now of Tucson, AZ.Mama is also survived by the following: Her brother Harry Rhizor and wife Jean of AFRH-G, Gulfport, MS.Her beloved grandson, my son Robert Bennett Copeland, wife Laura, and daughter Devon Bennett Copeland, Mama's great granddaughter, all of Phoenix, AZ.Another great granddaughter Jackie Kanuck Carpenter, husband Sidney and son Cove Finn Carpenter, great great grandson, all of Weston, Ohio.Mama is survived by many nieces and nephews, Rhizors and Bennetts , including George Braxton Bennett and wife Mimi of Boston, MA and James Floyd Bennett and wife Judy of Charleston, SC. Both are brothers to the late Thomas William Bennett.Mama has many friends and to name several: Terri and Dick Iammarino, Naomi and Jim Hamilton, Kitty Zachar, Janet Haines Capiola, Mary Davis, Beth and Terry Barrill, Ora Lee Ludwig and Allen Cale who did so much for Mama including taking her to all her doctor appointments and more. Many of her friends have passed away or are ill but she loved them all. Her dearest friend Kacy Wiedebusch remained by her side weekly, never ceasing their friendship even in Mama's hardest days, as did her daughter Carole Jean. Kacy is a Blessing. She always arrived at Mama's with her lovely smile and a quart of homemade soup in hand. I would like to mention her dearest caregiver Lois of Grafton and caregivers Kaleena and Delta. They were wonderful.In lieu of flowers, a donation to Mama's church in her memory would be a beautiful gesture, The First Christian Church, 100 Cobun Ave. Morgantown, WV 26501.All friends are invited to a Remembrance for Mama at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, , May 18, from 2-3pm. A Remembrance to Honor Mama, your friendship for her and her friendship for you ... and my friendship for you. At 3pm Rev. Rick Howard will officiate, accompanied by Tom Simonyi. At a later date, Hastings Funeral Home will privately bury Mama's Ashes next to Daddy's in the Bennett Family area at East Oak Grove Cemetary. I love you and miss you, Mama.