A celebration of life for Mary Anna Bennett will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, November 21, 2025 at Paola Methodist Church 209 S. Silver Paola Kansas 66071.

Mary Anna Bennett was born July 14, 1931, to George A. Ashton and Margaret A. Howard Ashton in Ottawa Kansas. She died peacefully at the Restwell Plus Care facility in Oskaloosa, Kansas, on Tuesday morning November 11, 2025.  Mary married Robert (Pete) Lee Bennett on November 27, 1949, in Ottawa KS.  They made their first home in Osawatomie KS. In her early working years Mary and Pete both worked for the Osawotomie state hospital.  As years passed Mary took a position with JC Penney company in Kansas City working in their credit office, where she worked for 35 years and retired from there.

In her earlier years she enjoyed many activities, bowling on a woman’s league and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. Later she and her family enjoyed camping and cookouts, and occasionally she would do a little fishing. Mary also enjoyed supporting the Chiefs, KC Royals and KU sports. The Bennett family had many pets over the years and the cats had a special place in her heart.

Mary gave many years of service to the First Baptist Church and later in life joined the United Methodist Church of Paola. Mary dedicated her life to her family. She loved anytime she could get to spend with her husband, children, grandchildren and great grand children. They were all the light of her life and brought much joy.

She was preceded in death by her Father, Mother and Husband.

Mary is survived by her children Cynthia Lee Wright (Andrew) of Lansing, Kansas, and Robert Lee Bennett Jr. (Jeanne) of Wichita, Kansas.  Her five Grandchildren Kimberley (“Kyleen”) McGovern (Brad), Nathan Haley, Jessica Wright, Krista Lee Sherman (Anthony), and Tiffany Jackson (Travis)  and her Great Grand Children Molly McGovern, Rory McGovern, Reid and Graham Sherman, Taylor and Johnathan Jackson.

The family expresses it gratitude to the care givers at Restwell for the kind and loving care that was given to her.  We are also thankful for the staff of Genitive Hospice for making her last days as comfortable as possible. Their staff has been a blessing to the family and has touched the lives of so many more.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions to Genitive Hospice or a contribution to the Paola United Methodist Church of Paola.