Mary June Bennett

Mary June Bennett, known to her family and friends as June or Junie, was 93 years old. She was a resident at Glacier Hills Senior Living Community in Ann Arbor, MI for the past 13 years. June passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on January 13, 2016. A funeral service is planned for Friday January 22, 2016 at 11:00 at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, MI. June’s Internment will follow the service. Also, a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 23, 2016 at 2:00 in the Hanson Room at Glacier Hills, 1200 Earhart Rd, Ann Arbor, MI. Mary June Hastreiter was born on June 29, 1922 in Evanston, Illinois. She was the daughter of Dominic and Lorraine (Lusher) Hastreiter. She married Maxwell Matthews in 1947 at the Methodist Church in Birmingham, MI. They had 3 children together; Scott, Susan and Laura. A divorce followed in 1960. In 1967 June joyfully married Clyde (Buck) Bennett in a small family ceremony at Christ Church Cranbrook, in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Buck brought his two children into their combined union, Bill and Rachael Bennett. Five teenagers under one roof! It made for some interesting times! June lived in Ann Arbor as a young girl and attended the Angell School which was just down the way from her home on Olivia St. Her parents moved to Abbey Road in Birmingham, MI when she was in fourth grade. She attended Adams School through 9th grade. June spent her 10th grade year at Kingswood School Cranbrook and then transferred to Stuart Hall, a woman’s boarding school in Staunton, Virginia where she completed high school. June made many wonderful friends at Stuart Hall. She remained in contact with several of them throughout her life. June returned to Birmingham in 1940 to attend the University of Michigan. Prior to her admission she met with Alice Lloyd who at the time was Dean of Women. She had been a close friend of June’s father. Ms. Lloyd offered her services if she ever needed someone to talk to while at U of M! June spent her freshman year in a private corner room on the 5th floor of the newly built Stockwell Hall, a woman’s dormitory. During her freshman year at Michigan she pledged the Delta Gamma Sorority. There she met lifelong friends who she continued to see and travel with well into her 80’s. By the end of her senior year June was exploring job opportunities in New York City. She had interviews scheduled with a new Hearst magazine and also an opportunity at Harper’s Bazaar. She was offered jobs with both Elizabeth Arden and Lord and Taylor. However, the Navy WAVE procurement officers visited campus looking for women to attend officer’s training school and serve in the Navy. June’s sense of duty and commitment to her country trumped her desire to cultivate a career in NYC. After graduation from Michigan in June of 1944, June and several of her fellow Delta Gamma’s joined the Navy and set out for midshipman’s school at Smith College in Northampton, MA. June graduated in December of 1944 where she received her commission as ensign of the United States Navy. She received a single gold bar and the officer’s insignia on her beautiful Navy hat. June began her service in Washington, D.C. where she roomed with several of her Delta Gamma girlfriends. She was eventually promoted to the Photo Editor of All Hands Magazine which was the official Navy magazine published during the war. It was here that June cut her teeth, learning how to run and publish a magazine. A very exciting time for her.

June was offered a raise in rank to Lieutenant to remain on the staff of All Hands magazine, but the war had ended and she was eager to return to civilian life. She planned to stay and work in Washington having fallen in love with the city. However, when she returned home on a short leave she met Maxwell Matthews. Her dreams of living and working in a vibrant city were quickly rearranged. June was married and had 3 children. She became involved in volunteer activities and served on the Boards of the Oakland County Legal Aid Society, the Birmingham Community House, the Birmingham Jr. League, the Bloomfield Hills P.T.O and the Foundation for Michigan State University Oakland, which was at that time a fledgling campus established by Michigan State University in Rochester, MI. June transitioned from a member of that Board into the University staff as Executive Secretary of the Foundation. She was later named Director of Community Relations at Oakland University. June worked and served the Oakland University Community for 11 years. June married Buck Bennett in 1967. Several years later (1972) due to business opportunities for Buck, they moved to Deland, Florida. June began her graduate work at Stetson University and obtained her Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1975. June also served on many boards while in Deland, including: The Mainstreet Deland Association; Volusia County Mental Health Association (President); House Next Door, mental health agency, founding Board member; Episcopal Counseling Center, founding Director; St. Barnabas Episcopal School; Vestry member at St. Barnabas Church for 2 terms; and Daytona Beach Community College Women’s Council. June helped start a Hospice program in West Volusia County training Hospice volunteers. June also continued to practice as a private family therapist for 25 years. June and Buck returned to Michigan in 2002 and moved to the Glacier Hills Senior Living Community in Ann Arbor, MI. During her residence, which she now considered her official retirement, June served on: the Meadows Executive Committee; the Spiritual Advisory committee; the Glacier Hills Board’s transitional committees; as Vice President of the newly formed Glacier Hills Foundation Board for a total of 4 years; the Care Standards Committee for three years; the Leadership committee for the Glacier Hills Building Campaign; as liaison for the St. Andrews Episcopal church monthly visit for services in the Glacier Hills chapel; helped initiate a Glacier Hills outreach program donating homemade cookies to needy agencies in Ann Arbor and most recently, she has served on the Dining Committee. June also co-lead spiritual Seekers groups with fellow residents at Glacier Hills. Needless to say she stayed active and busy until the last few weeks of her life. June is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Clyde (Buck) Bennett, and her sister Suzanne Pomeroy of Naples, Florida. June is also survived by her five children, Scott Matthews, of Birmingham, MI, Susan (David) Vanker, of Birmingham, MI, William Bennett (fiancé Deborah Frano) of Turnersville, NJ, Laura Matthews (Ford Howard) of Troy, MI and Rachael Bennett of St. Augustine, FL. June’s surviving grandchildren include Jaime (Andy) Peykoff, Jennifer (Chris) McCuiston, Alison Howard, Ryan Bennett, David Bennett, Kate Bennett, Jessica (Dan) Lemon and Lauren Matthews. June was preceded in death by her loving grandson, Tyler Howard. Lastly, June was blessed with 14 surviving great-grandchildren. June wanted special thanks given to the Glacier Hills administrators, staff, health care providers, dining staff, front desk and maintenance staff, Paul Arnold, and all of her friends and associates who meant so much to her. She considered you all family. Special thanks are also sent to the ministerial staff at both St. Andrew’s and Christ Church Cranbrook. Bill, Alan and Sally helped her transition into a peaceful death as she prepared and welcomed her life everlasting with Jesus. Memorials may be made to any of the following organizations, or to a charity of your choice: The Glacier Hills Foundation, 1200 Earhart Rd., Ann Arbor, MI, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ann Arbor, MI, or Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Arrangements have been provided by the Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI 48104