Obituary of Shirley BENNETT

BENNETT, Shirley (nee Hergenhien) September 10, 1940 – Carstairs, AB October 14, 2012 – Calgary, AB It is with great sorrow the family of Shirley Bennett announces her sudden but peaceful passing on October 14, 2012 at home with her faithful, protective and devoted companion “Billy” her cat who never left her side. Shirley was one of thirteen children born to Lydia and Jacob Hergenhien. Life wasn’t easy coming from such a large strict German family but our mom made do never asking for more and always sharing what she had. Raised in the Forest Lawn area of Calgary, Shirley witnessed the growth of the community and then the entire City of Calgary and was a true Albertan. Shirley met her husband to be Donald Bennett whom she married in April of 1969. A beautiful young woman who caught the eye of a handsome young man and from that point on they were meant to be. Shirley was the wife of a long haul truck driver for the most part she was both mom and dad to four very active children when Don was away on the road thankfully with her organizational skills she had everything under control. On July 19, 1970 our family was faced with the devastating loss of our youngest brother and son Donnie Jr. at a tender age of four. Our family never completely recovered from the tragic accident. It was a heartbreaking time but with the strength and courage of our parents we as a family were able to slowly move forward thus allowing us as a family unit to keep the memory alive of our brother Donnie and now it will continue with our mom and our dad. Life really wasn’t easy for our mom, faced with many challenges as a child and then as a young adult with her having to quit school to work full-time sacrificing her education for her family and as the years progressed so did the harsh judgement of others most often her own family the same people she sacrificed so much for. In the end the turmoil she endured and the sacrifices she made taught her the importance of letting go and enjoying her own family that she was so very proud of. “Let the gossipers gossip.. Let the thinkers think.” Mom fought hard for her family, never a complaint and always thinking of others before herself. Our mom was a simple lady who didn’t have much but what she did have was very important to her. Her great pride for keeping a clean home and the ability to spoil her family with her amazing talent for cooking, especially her love for baking anything sweet and in her later years mastering the use of a computer, for which you would often find her on her “POGO” account playing her games and challenges with the screen name “Grandma-Bones”. Independence, stubbornness, devotion and love for her family are all fine qualities she proudly passed down to her children and now her grandchildren. She was our “Mom”. She was our “Nanny”. She was our “Pillar” of strength. She was direct, to the point and told us like it is. When we needed her…there was no questions asked and without a doubt or hesitation she would always be there even as her health started to fail… Our mom loved her family to the moon and back and then some. The “Rock” of the Bennett family is gone and now we are left with the colorful memories to be shared and cherished for generations to come. “Live for the future. Don’t dwell in the past.” Shirley is survived by her son Rodney Bennett; her daughters Cindy Ritchie (Doug) and children (Chris, Kristina, and Stephanie) and Colleen “Pokey” Bennett (Mike) and children (Kelsey-anne, Donnie-Joseph, Zachary-Quaide, Brodie-Michael and Benjamin-Parker) and her step daughter Valerie McMaster (David) and son (Justine). Shirley was later thrilled when her great-grandbabies (Jaydon, Taylor, Jaxin, Katrina and Makayla) started to arrive but unfortunately she wasn’t able to meet them all because of her failing health but they were always in her heart. Also, left to remember Shirley is her brother Robert (Gail); her sisters Dorothy, Edna and Marilyn; Don’s Uncle George (Joyce) whom they were very close with and her special cousin Donna Quashnick who was more like a sister then a cousin and was a short phone call away; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and family members. Our mom had a very special bond with all animals they sensed her love and kindness for them and throughtout the years our home was never without a furry member and now three special furry members (Billy, KiKi, and fur grandbaby Roxy) will be missing her attention and love but she will remain in their hearts. Shirley was very close with her youngest daughter Colleen and her grandbabies (Kelsey, Donnie, Zack and Brodie) but the bond was the strongest between her and her grandson Benjamin. Having lost a son and brother in such a tragic manner our family years later was now faced with another heart ache a child with many life threatening heath concerns. Ben and his Nanny had a special relationship and with his numerous surgeries and hospital stays his “Nanny” was his strength and he always looked forward to sleep overs at Nannys with his big brother Brodie enjoying late nights and early morning coffee spent in the company of their Nanny then later a trip to the local Wal-mart and now his Nanny is his “Guardian Angel” in heaven. “In the beginning I didn’t have much. But in the end I had treasures worth far more then any common coin. Memories that will live forever.” Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband Donald; her son Donnie Jr. and her furry four legged daughter Fergie as well as numerous other relatives. “Don’t keep knocking no one is home. Don and I are traveling heavens many highways in his semi truck. When the time is right we will meet you at the heavenly gates”. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Wednesday October 24, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) (11230-72nd Avenue, Edmonton, AB) www.organ-donation-works.org or the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton (7726 – 107 Street Edmonton, AB) www.rmhnorthernalberta.org Please help bring awareness to Organ and tissue donation. “Recycle save many lives”. In living memory of Shirley Bennett, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.