Martha Mae Bennett

Martha (Mae) Bennett, 93, of Machesney Park, IL passed away peacefully January 9, 2011 at 10:49 a.m. at River Bluff after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family. Born November 26, 1917 in Savoy, IL the daughter of Ernest and Carrie (Robbins) Broach. She graduated from Rockford Central High School in 1935. She worked at National Lock where she met and married Donald W. Bennett on September 16, 1944 in Rockford. Mae also worked at Eclipse Manufacturing, Hines License Service and B & L License Service. She was a volunteer Pink Lady at Rockford Memorial Hospital from 1971 to 2001. Mae was a member of North Park Covenant Church and the Rockford Ostomy Association. Mae enjoyed being with her family, reading (later Talking Books), the Cubs games, swimming, ceramics and picnics at the river. Mae was a special person who accepted the challenges of a colostomy for twenty-eight years and the loss of her eyesight nine years ago with grace and dignity. Survivors include daughter Sandra (David) Lower; grandsons, Jeffrey (Kelley Preiss) Lower, Michael (Danica) Lower; great-grandson, Kane Lower; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Larry and Carol Powder and special emergency care givers and friends, Jody Sidener and Jan Carroll. Predeceased by her parents; husband, Donald; brothers, Floyd, Marion, Rennie, Phillip, and Ralph Broach. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family to be donated to organizations close to Mae’s heart. Visitation will be held on Wednesday January 12, from 5 p.m. -7p.m at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd. in Machesney Park. Funeral services will be held Thursday January 13, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Sheets officiating. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Tributes to the family at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com