Marjorie Helen Crawford Bennett

Our beloved Mother, Marjorie Helen Crawford Bennett, 86, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her family by her side on August 15, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Lancelot “Lance” Crawford and Helen Easterling Crawford.

Our Mother met the love of her life, our Dad, Lt. Commander John J. Bennett III and together they shared a beautiful life of 65 years up until his passing in 2009.

As a Navy wife, Mom traveled alongside our father throughout the United States. Once Dad left the U.S. Navy he went to work for the FAA. After his retirement Mom and Dad traveled extensively throughout the world. Mom and Dad loved to cruise the ocean and together they sailed a total of 44 cruises.

As a homemaker, she was always very active in our school programs, PTA and school Patrol as well as Bluebirds and Campfire Girls. Mom was a strong character in many people’s lives. Not only was she a loving wife she was a wonderful mother. She was a good friend to many and kindhearted to all. She was our rock and mentor in life. Mom and Dad were both active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) at Epperson Memorial United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, FL, where we attended church growing up.

Most of their retired years were spent in Merritt Island, FL. There, Mom belonged to a swim club called the “Mermaids,” served on the Board of Directors for the Merritt Towers Condominium Association, and served as the “Block Captain” for her building. In 2007, after living 20 happy years in Merritt Towers, Mom and Dad moved back to Jacksonville, FL. If you ever asked our Mom what her happiest times in life were she would tell you that it was giving birth to her children.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Ann Duncan, and son Richard (Rick) Jon Bennett; sisters Carolyn Reaves, Faye Claypool and brother Wayne Crawford. She leaves behind her loving daughters, Barbara J. Benzing, Fleming Island, FL, and Nancy L. Pritchard (Michael) Jacksonville, FL; daughter-in-law Kathy Pavone Bennett, Tampa, FL; granddaughters, Dana Alberta, Denise Hickox, Melisa Wilson and Kimberly Ray (Troy); great grandchildren, Casey, Holly, Kendall, Chad, Carley, Sydney and Sophie; and five great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Bartram Lakes Assisted Living Facility, Brooks Bartram Crossing, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida Inc., Dr. Hussain Imam, Dr. Abdul Kani and Dr. Jeffery Gully, DDS and his staff.

Mom and Dad will now be “Together Forever. ” Her funeral services will take place at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218, proceed to Lane 3. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc.