Betty M. Bennett, age 89, of 1506 17th Avenue South; Escanaba, died Saturday morning November 3, 2007 at the Marquette General Hospital in Marquette following a brief illness.

Betty was born March 29, 1918 in Marquette, MI the daughter of Edgar Browning and Sarah Louise (Hogan) Bell. She was raised in Marquette and she was a 1937 graduate of the Bishop Baraga High School. Following graduation, Betty worked for the Labor Department in Washington, D.C. Betty was united in marriage in August of 1941 in Harlingen, TX to Owen “O.J.” Bennett who was stationed with the Army Air Corp. in Texas. Following O.J.’s discharge, the couple made their home in Norway, MI where Owen worked as a conservation officer. Betty and Edgar later relocated to Escanaba and then to Roscommon before returning to Marquette where Owen was the Region One Director of the Department of Natural Resources. Owen died in 1984 and Betty returned to Escanaba in 1985.
Over the years, Betty was employed at the Roscommon High School, First National Bank of Escanaba, and as a radio announcer for WDBC Radio in Escanaba. Betty was a former member of the Escanaba Country Club and the Escanaba Elks Club. Her hobbies included golfing and playing bridge. She treasured having lunch with her friends and taking cruises. She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and she enjoyed her travels in Ireland.

Survivors include:

Daughter: Kathleen Bennett of Escanaba

Sister-in-law: Virginia Bennett of Marquette

3 nephews: Timothy (Dianne) Bennett and Richard (Judy) Bennett of Marquette, Michael (Diane) Bennett of Iron Mountain

6 nieces: Sharon Whitten of Polson, Montana, Cindy (Pete) Beairl of Leona, WI, Mary Bennett and Margaret (Gary) Gustafson of Marquette, Ruth (Jim) Hartig, of Elk Rapids, and Maureen Pelkie of Gwinn, MI

In addition to her parents and husband, Owen, she was preceded in death by:
Step father: Clinton Libby

3 sister-in-laws: Margaret Bennett O’Boyle, Thelma Bennett and Carroll Bennett

3 brother-in-laws: Pat, James and Jack Bennett

2 nephews; John and Shawn Bennett

Betty’s family will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty M. Bennett will follow at 6:00 PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home with Episcopal Missioner Rayford Ray officiating. Dinner will follow at the House of Ludington in Escanaba. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Marquette.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Delta Area Animal Society or the Bay Cliff Health Camp, envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral