Bernice Norris Bennett Beecie August 8, 1922 – September 13, 2011

Beecie Bennett passed away peacefully in her sleep at Quail Hollow Memory Care Community on September 13, 2011. Annabelle Bernice Bennett was born to Douglas and Nora Norris, and raised in the small mountain mining town of Morency, AZ. The youngest of five children she enjoyed early life on their ranch, dances, tennis and in high school, working at the Morency grocery store.

In 1942, while attending college, she met the love of her life, Earl C. Bennett, a fighter pilot in training in the Army Air Corps. They married two weeks later and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. After Earl’s return from the South Pacific Theater of WWII, they lived in California, where son, Earl Charles Bennett, III, was born. They moved to South Dakota, where they operated a motel/café while Earl, Sr., finished his degree in engineering, and Diana, Cecilia, and Susan were born.

In 1951 the family moved to Richland, WA. Beecie told the story of moving into the house on Elm St., to piles of dirt in every corner, from the dust storm the day before. Sally and Beth were quickly added to the family, and they all moved to the house on Turner that became the family home.

Beecie took great pride in her home and family. She had a flair for home décor on a budget, sewed, canned and made a place for people to gather. Her hospitality included family, friends and soon to be friends.

She went to work as a secretary for the fund drive to build the first YMCA in Richland. She moved from there to work as a legal secretary for Butler & Yencopal, later Butler & Heye, and the firm of Cowan, Walker, Moore and Nickola and in the last few years for the firm of Chvatal, Heye and Felsted.

Beecie was active, with her family, in the life of Richland Lutheran Church. Both she and Earl attended Sunday school classes throughout their lives, enjoying the study of the Bible and practical Christian living. Beecie wrote Journey Back to the Manger, a guided diorama that was offered to the Tri-Cities community during the Christmas season. She also wrote My Name is Mary, performed by the Central United Protestant speaking choir. Throughout her years at RLC she wrote seasonal liturgical services.

Beecie is preceded in death by her husband, Earl, her parents and two sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her children, Earl C. Bennett, III, Barneata, Diana Ground Robert, Cecilia McCartney, Susan Meek Ken, Sally Hoffman Steven and Beth Volkle. She is also survived by her much loved eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and many dear friends.

The family would like to thank Quail Hollow for their exceptional, loving care of our mother during the last months of her life, DSHS Caseworker Shannon Langford, At Home Care and Hospice of the Tri-Cities. Memorials may be sent to Good News Media Ministries or the RLC Foundation at Richland Lutheran Church.

A Celebration Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, September 23.