Barbara JEan Bennett

“Its such a grand thing to be the mother of a mother- that’s why the world calls her grandmother.”

In the quiet evening hours of March 31st, 2017, held by her daughters, God called home our beloved mother and grandmother, Barbara Jean Bennett, of Napanoch, NY. She is reunited with her loving parents, Ervin and Leona Alward, her husband and daughter’s father Donnie Irwin, and her husband and grandchildren’s grandfather, Francis Bennett.

We could tell you about her battle with cancer, about how she suffered from the same disease that took both her husbands and parents, about how we watched her courageously fight for 5 years and in the end, lost her.

But these things do not define her. What defines her is Family. She was our matriarch and queen, she was home. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her fabulous four daughters; Vickie, Jeanie, Jody and Joy. She is Vickie’s sense of adventure, she is Jeanie’s love for entertaining, she is Jody’s open door, she is Joy’s pride. Her daughters were her heart, and she is deeply rooted in theirs.

Her son in laws- Karl, Eric, and Randy loved her as their own, and she adored them.

Her son’s Scott and Peter loved the mom they inherited when she married Francis.

Even more than her love for being a mother, there was a role that defined her life, and that was Grandma. She leaves behind 9 grandchildren- Andrea, Linsey, Matthew, Brandon, Sydney, Andrew, Zachary, Ryan, and Myah; and 4 great grandchildren- Emma, Olivia, Noah, and Baby Tommy. Her grandchildren gave her life hope, promise, and laughter. Grandma’s love will forever run through their veins.

She was a phenomenal woman, full of love, strength, resilience, comfort and faith. She will be forever missed.

Before she passed, Barbara planned her celebration of life with the help of her daughter’s. She wished for us to cry for but a moment, and then to laugh and celebrate her.

Her viewing will be Friday, April 7th, from 5-8pm at Loucks Funeral Home at 79 Main St. in Ellenville. On Saturday, April 8th,  at 11 am there will be a Mass at the Christ Lutheran Church in Ellenville, followed by a party of remembrance at the Elks Lodge in Napanoch. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara expressed wishes for donations to be made to the Christ Lutheran Church at 105 Center St, Ellenville, NY 12428.

Arrangements were under the direction of Loucks Funeral Home for further information please call 845-647-4343 or visit www.loucksfh.com.