NEW BEDFORD — Carolyn (Sauer) Bennett died March 2, 2011. She was born October 30, 1917 in Jaffrey, NH, the daughter of the late Albert and Mary (Barke) Sauer. She was the widow of Kenneth Bennett, who she married on October 3, 1942.
Carolyn moved to Fairhaven at age 5, where she spent most of her life, subsequently living in Mattapoisett and New Bedford. A 1935 graduate of Fairhaven High School, she worked at the National Bank of Fairhaven prior to raising her family. She later worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at several institutions, retiring from the YMCA and the US Census.
Carolyn was a long time member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, a Fairhaven Town Meeting member, and a volunteer docent for the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She was active in many church and community organizations, including the Women's Alliance of the Fairhaven Unitarian Memorial Church, the Garden Club of New Bedford, the Mattapoisett Women's Club, the Colonial Club, Thursday Musicale, and the Fairhaven Historical Society. She was also an accomplished pianist and scrabble player; her love of music was a source of great joy.
Carolyn is survived by two daughters including Kay Todd and her husband, Tom Todd of Lenoir, NC, and Freda Bennett and her husband, Ron Coleman of Williamstown, MA; three grandchildren, Ben and Abby Coleman, and Christine Eddy and her husband, Jeffrey; three great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her son, Frederick Bennett, died in 1953.
On Saturday, March 12, 2011, beginning at 11:30 am, the family will receive visitors, followed by a 12 noon service, in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford, MA, 02740.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice, or to the Fairhaven Unitarian Memorial Church Organ Fund, 102 Green St., Fairhaven, Ma. 02719.