Mary P. Bennett

Mary Pauline (Charbonneau) Bennett, age 88, entered eternal life on July 27, 2026, fortified by the sacraments of the Church. She passed peacefully into the arms of our heavenly God. Mary was born on June 21, 1938, to Paul and Lucille Charbonneau in Hebron, Nebraska. She was raised on the family farm in Concordia, Kansas, where she learned the values of faith, family, perseverance, and hard work that shaped her life. She attended an all-girls boarding school with the Benedictine Sisters at Mount Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. Shortly after graduation, Mary moved to Topeka, Kansas, where she met her beloved husband, Melvin Thomas “Tom” Bennett, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Bennett; her son, Thomas Christopher Bennett; her sister, Germaine Schwerman; and her parents. She is survived by her three daughters, Kathleen Hastings (Michael), Paula Bourget (Daniel), and Anna Bennett; eight grandchildren, Alexander Hastings (Seeta), Stephanie Miranda (Michael), Christopher Bourget (Angie), Jacob Bourget (Kathleen), Sarah Nicholson (Matt), Danielle McMillan (Nick), Remy Harp (Dan), and Mara-Paige Rincher (Kailey); and 15 great-grandchildren.

After Mary and Tom married, they lived abroad in Germany while Tom served in the Air Force. Over the years, they lived in seven states and welcomed their four children along the way. Wherever life took them, Mary created a warm and loving home. She poured herself into her family, her faith, and the communities around her, volunteering with local Catholic churches and organizations. A devout Catholic, Mary lived a life rooted in deep faith, generous love, and service to others. She had a special tenderness for the elderly and found joy in assisting parish priests with home blessings. As a member of the Legion of Mary, she faithfully served others and generously supported many charities. Mary loved to laugh and delighted in people; to her, no one was a stranger. She treasured gatherings with family and lifelong friends in which she formed lasting friendships in every community she called home. In the 1980s, Mary and Tom made a major life change by purchasing a local convenience store in Michigan and becoming small business owners. Mary was a true partner in the business, working during the day and managing store vendors with care, determination, and a keen eye for the best deal. In many ways, she came into her own through the strong work ethic she first developed as a farm girl. After retirement, Mary and Tom enjoyed many winters in Naples, Florida, before eventually making their home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. A Mass in witness to Mary’s life and faith will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1729 Stop Thirty Road, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Friends are welcome to gather before Mass for the rosary in the vestibule of the church at 10:00 a.m. The Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Following Mass, Mary will be laid to rest alongside her husband and son at Hendersonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Memorial donation to the Maryknoll Sisters by mail Maryknoll Sisters to P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545 in honor or online to Maryknoll Sisters Donate Page