Julia Elizabeth Bennett

1931-2020

Julia "Judy" Bennett passed away at age 89 on October 1, 2020, after a short battle with cancer. She will be remembered fondly as a smart, kind, and loving soul who took a genuine interest in others.

Born as the youngest of six children on a farm outside Huntsville, TX, she developed a strong work ethic, patience, a sense of humor, and a love of people and nature. Out of high school, she set her sights on Houston, where she worked her way through business college and became the executive secretary to the CEO of Foster-Wheeler.

On one of her lunch breaks, she met John, the short-order cook working his way through University of Houston law school. They married in 1950 and raised 3 daughters. She became a private legal secretary and homemaker, and she was also an active volunteer in schools, being a room mother and helping to organize the Poe School Carnival. She was tapped as hospitality co-chair as the girls progressed through Lanier Jr. High and Lamar Sr. High, where she organized and cooked for debate tournaments, teacher appreciation lunches, and AFS parties. Her favorite subject in high school had been chemistry, and she used it to great success in cooking and baking for all occasions, from school functions and large family gatherings to neighborhood dinners and neighborly gifts of homemade cookies. She was the handywoman in the household, blessed with a very green thumb in the garden, and enjoyed being creative in sewing and different kinds of needlework.

Upon retirement, she and John moved to the Regency House where she resided for over 25 years, making good friends with residents and staff and celebrating birthdays and other milestones with her new "neighborhood" in the building. She always enjoyed a conversation and a smile when she met you in the hallway or at the mailbox.

Julia was intelligent, modest, and unassuming, making her a great listener, mother, and friend. Her practical insights were also valued during service on the Board of Twelve Oaks Hospital. She could talk for hours, sharing her life stories, but also learning about and remembering the stories of others. She loved reading and working crossword puzzles, and liked to discuss what was going on in the world. During their 63+ years of marriage, after their daughters were grown, she and John enjoyed traveling all over the world, riding camels, climbing pyramids, and taking hundreds of photos. She was nurtured and invigorated by getting together with family and friends. Some of her last words were "give everyone a cookie," and that was a true reflection of her selfless, inclusive compassion for everyone she knew. And her cookies were sooo good!

Julia was preceded in death by her husband John, and is survived by daughters Elizabeth Hare, Barbara Pederson and husband John, and Nancy Mateo and husband Mario; brother Ben Baisdon and wife Laura; brother-in-law George Bennett and wife Lou; sister-in-law Harriett Baron; grandchildren Jeffrey Pederson and Meredith Rivera (and husband Raul), and Emilio and Carmen Mateo; great-grandchildren Daniel Dengel and Dylan Rivera; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A private burial will take place later this week. For safety and convenience, the family encourages everyone to join them in a Celebration of Life for Julia, via Zoom (by computer or phone). If you want to listen in or participate, please email [email protected] to receive the link and memorial program, or call a family member directly.