Anna Elizabeth Bennett

Born in Jacksonville, Florida on October 23, 1943, Anna attended Fishweir Elementary and graduated from Forrest High School. Anna went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University (GO NOLES!) and a Master of Education in Reading from the University of North Florida. For 35 years, she primarily taught second grade (specializing in reading and gifted) in Clay County at S. Bryan Jennings Elementary School and in Duval County at Jacksonville Heights Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary (EVE award in Education finalist), and Atlantic Beach Elementary.

Anna pursued lifelong learning with gusto! When her children were young, Anna took cake-decorating lessons from the Cedar Hills Wilton location and took pride in baking homemade cakes for all occasions. She also dabbled in ceramics to the point of enclosing her home’s original garage to use as a studio where she poured slip into molds and then dried, glazed, and fired in all kinds of objects from Easter baskets to tiny Christmas tree ornaments in a domestic size kiln. After retiring, she returned to UNF to take classes at OLLI, especially loving the story telling workshops. Anna also returned to her love of shelling at Sanibel and creating flowers, crosses, and Christmas ornaments from the treasures she picked up while beachcombing. Her last creative venture followed in the footsteps of her mother as Anna learned the craft of needlepoint, sewing shorebirds and their native habitats with precision. She truly embraced education as a teacher and a student.

A lifelong Christian, Anna and her sisters were introduced to the love of Jesus by their Auntie Lil who took them every Sunday to St. Johns Presbyterian Church. There she was baptized and participated in youth group activities that included many splendid summers at Camp Montgomery. At St. Johns she served as an Elder and sang in the choir, then later worshipped at Palms Presbyterian in Jax Beach. Anna took to heart Christ’s Great Commandments (Love the Lord and Love thy Neighbors as I have Loved You) and Great Commission (sharing Christ with others and the salvation that comes from believing in Him). From this faith, she lived her life with love, kindness, generosity, and joy.

Anna was predeceased by her parents Talmadge M. and Margaret Mae Speigel Bennett, Uncle Robert “Bob” E. Bennett, Aunt Mary Hannon, older brother George M. Bennett, brother-in-law, John B. Danese III, younger sister, Susan M. Craig and a host of cousins, aunts & uncles, great aunts & uncles and grandparents from the Speigel, Karges, Rhodes, and Bennett families.

Anna is survived by her sister Mary Danese, daughters Megan (Michael) Sullivan and Dorothy (David) Gonzalez; grandsons Logan and Luke Gonzalez; nieces Cammie, Kristina, Amy, Kimberly, and Jennifer; grandnieces Carley, Ciara, Kayden, Lily & Graycie; nephew Robert; grandnephews Zach, Brad, Nick & Alex; cousin John Steven, and countless friends, especially Dawn and Lou Guarno, Robin and Brian Hatcher, and Johnny Bass.

The family would like to thank the faithful medical practitioners who helped sustain Anna so she could lead an full and active life: Rich Nay, T. Carey Merritt, Doug Knapp, Erwin Torrabla, Hatidza Bajramovic, and Jennifer (ARNP at Life Care). We are also grateful to Concierge Care schedulers Erin, Michelle, Haley, & Autumn for connecting us with dedicated caregivers who treated Anna like their own mother: Rhonda, Ortense, Kaynell, Nakia, Asia, Afriania, and La’Andrea (T).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 2001 University Blvd. W., Jacksonville, Florida 32217 with luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to UCOM (United Community Outreach Ministry which since 1979 has worked to make sure no one faces hunger or crisis alone) 3349 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32207 or to Lakewood Presbyterian Church Music Ministry.