Mary Bennett
Mary Louise Bennett, 93, died May 16, 2023, at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke. She was born Mary Louise Scott on Aug. 21, 1929, to Samuel C. and Barbara Artzer Scott at their home in Ovid.
She attended elementary and high school in Ovid, graduating with the class of 1947. She remained close to all her classmates, attending reunions and keeping in touch with most of them throughout their entire lives.
Mary exhibited her strong work ethic as an eighth grade student when she held her first job working at the Five and Dime Store in Ovid. While in high school, Mary worked as a waitress at the Sugar Café and upon graduating worked at Peterson’s Drug Store in Ovid. This job ended as the “real work” began — She became the wife of a farmer as she married Clifford Bennett on July 7, 1951.
Mary could be found driving trucks and tractors, raising a large garden and cooking for men working on the farm with Clifford, all while maintaining her home to a very high standard.
Clifford and Mary welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer Jo, in February 1954, and then their second, Beverly, in July 1957. The family moved from Ovid to rural Holyoke in 1963, as Clifford was one of the first sugar beet growers in Phillips County. This was a family operation, with Mary and the girls pitching in as needed.
No matter the workload outside, Mary found the time to maintain their home and to lend a hand as needed, often cooking or baking for various events in the community, as well as serving as the bookkeeper for the family business.
Even as the days were long, and the work was hard, Mary didn’t lose her sense of humor and quick wit. After retiring from farming in 1993, Clifford and Mary enjoyed their home in Holyoke and spending time with family and friends until the end of their lives.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, younger brother F.E. “Bud” Scott, older sister Barbara Peyton, and Clifford, her husband of nearly 70 years.
Left to mourn her passing are her daughters Beverly Gennaro and husband Vito of Aurora and Jennie Lett and husband Rick of Yuma; her great joys, grandsons Justin Lett and wife Elizabeth of Parker and Sean Lett and wife Hanna of Bixby, Oklahoma; and the lights of her life, great-grandchildren Madison Lett of Waco, Texas, Emily Lett of Parker, Alexis Lett of Aurora, and Christian and Gianna Lett of Bixby. Mary also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members and very special friends.
The funeral service was scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke. Mary will be laid to rest in Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.