Jean Bennett Obituary

In Loving Memory

Jean was born on December 17, 1926 in Asbury Park, N.J. and completed her journey on May 21, 2014 in Anaheim, CA. She has two sisters, Shirley Wilton and Lois Borden, and a brother Robert Abbe Jr (deceased). Her beloved husband, John, predeceased her in 1980. Jean and John spent many happy years in Alaska, beginning with John's assignment to Fort Wainwright in 1968. With John she had four children; Jill, Jack (deceased), Judith and Bob. She eventually was blessed with a total of 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Jean will be greatly missed by her many family members and friends who will keep her memory alive.

Jean was oldest child of a prominent Monmouth County N.J. physician, Robert A. MacKenzie and his wife Anne (Thompson). Jean attended Hollins College and in 1943 met the love of her life, John Bennett, on a blind date at the West Point Military Academy. After marriage to him in 1945, Jean become a dedicated Army wife and mother juggling almost yearly moves of her growing family to well over a dozen locations in Europe and North America as John rose to the rank of Major General, no doubt in part to her refined social skills. Upon his retirement they settled in Anchorage, Alaska among many friends. After John's death in a solo plane accident near the Sleeping Lady just west of Anchorage, Jean moved to California in 1988 where she could be closer to family. Jean will rest in peace at Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside.