Barbara Isobel Bennett passed away peacefully on May 4, 2020, with her husband by her side. Barbara was born in Brookline, MA, to parents Joseph and Sayde Malins on July 1, 1932. She grew up with her brother, Jerry, who predeceased her. Barbara loved the beach and went to Nantasket Beach many times with her family. She attended school in Brookline for her whole school career, graduating from Brookline High School around 1949. Barbara did not attend college but eventually trained to become a dental assistant.
Barbara leaves her husband of almost 67 years, Lawrence (Larry) Bennett, who took loving care of her until she peacefully passed. Larry and Barbara lived their early life in Framingham, MA, a wonderfully simple life filled with the daily joys of family. They had four children. Their days and nights were made up of herding four kids with five years between them: going to basketball games, football games, dance recitals, swim meets and practice, school plays and such. They cherished their friends, both in Framingham in the early years and in Vermont most recently.
What brought her so much joy were her own athletic and artistic endeavors. She was an amazing artist, dabbling in sculpture, oil, acrylic and pastel but mostly watercolor. She painted on a special paper with a talent learned from a cherished mentor. Barbara was an incredible athlete. She excelled at tennis, golf and skiing, not to mention her love for a good walk and swimming laps. She was also an amazingly talented dancer.
Many of the hours Barbara didn’t spend at her home in Framingham she spent in Fayston, Vermont, at the little chalet that eventually became their home for the final 20 years of her life. This is where the family felt the most free. Friends in each of the neighboring houses – for both the parents and the children – kept them together skiing at Sugarbush and having fun for over 50 years.
Barbara leaves the love of her daughter, Judi Gross and her husband Steve of Waitsfield, VT, grandchildren Ali (and Randall), Emily and Jonathan, and great-granddaughter Penelope; son, Barry Bennett and his wife Sharon of Ashland, MA, and grandchildren Casey, Corey and Abby; son, Andy and his wife Audrey of Ashland, MA, grandchildren Jarrett (and Jessica) and Derek, and great-grandchildren Tanner and Dakota; and son, Dean of Northbridge, MA, grandchildren Brennan (and Sarah), Tyler, Kelsey and Codi, and three great-grandchildren Cami, Jackson and Cooper.
A private Zoom service held for the family, led by Rabbi David Fainsilber of Stowe, made it possible for all her grandchildren from all over to attend. Barbara was cared for during the end of her life by her husband and family and with the aid of Central VT Home Health and Hospice and Visiting Angels. These wonderful people made it possible for her to die at home as were the family’s wishes. She was cremated and lovingly cared for in her death by Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury. There will be no graveside services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CVHHH.
