Bessie W. Bennett

Bessie Bennett, 87, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2020, surrounded by her loved ones at Samaritan Medical Center after a massive stroke.

Calling hours will be Saturday, January 25th  from 9 am - 11 am at Mercy Point Church, Burrville, NY. A funeral service will be held at 11 am with a reception to follow from 12 pm - 4:30 pm at the church.  Her body will be laid to rest at Brookside Cemetery in Watertown, NY, with a service for the immediate family following the funeral service.

Bessie was born in Clayton, NY to Harold and Marguerite Rivers on June 29, 1932.  She graduated from Clayton High School in 1949 and married the love of her life, Leo Bennett on March 5, 1950.  This year would have marked their 70th wedding anniversary. While raising seven children she worked several jobs over the years including, waitressing, teaching Sunday school and working at JoAnn Fabrics in Watertown for many years. Bessie was a woman of many talents including gardening, sewing, painting, carving, and was eager to learn any other new craft.  She also loved playing BINGO, bocce ball, and bunco; especially with her friends from Spanish Lakes Country Club Village in Fort Pierce, Florida, where she and Leo wintered for 11 years.

Bessie is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Marilyn, Vern, Ruth, Bill, Bob, Patti, Harold, John, Tommy and her youngest son, Brian. 

She is survived by her Favorites, John Bennett (Mary), Cindy Steiner (Greg), Kathy Robinson (Kevin), Judy Bennett, Donna Knowlton (Howard) and Dan (Chris Kohl-Kellar). She is also survived by grandchildren Mandy Robinson (Ang Rich) and Christopher Bennett (Alexa) whom she and Leo also helped raise. She leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and her siblings, Fran, Anne, Terry, and Jim.

Condolences may be offered on the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home website.

The Bennett family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Samaritan Medical Center staff for their extraordinary caring and compassion.

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