Lynnette B. Bennett

Lynnette Margaret Buchanan Bennett, 77, passed away on Mother's Day, May 14 in Sarasota, Florida after a valiant battle against ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband Jim, former Venice City Councilman; her four children (Steve, Kristy, John and Margot); and five grandchildren (Zaidee, Jack, Kathryn, Laura and Ashley). Lynnette, or Nettie as she was known by some, was born in Summit, NJ, the daughter of the late William Hobart Buchanan and Margaret Rolfs Buchanan, sister of Wendy Merrill of Denver, CO and Bill Buchanan of Naples, FL. She was a graduate of Kent Place School and Wellesley College and enjoyed reunions with classmates. Lynnette had an enormous heart and built a life in the service of others. She began her career in Boston as a social worker and did administrative work at Harvard. She then moved to New York City where she joined the Institute of International Education as the Fulbright Program co-ordinator for Latin America and Europe. Later in New Canaan, CT she worked in both attendance and the guidance program at New Canaan High School. Lynnette will always be remembered for her love of music. She was a member of the chorus of the Blue Hill Troupe in NYC as an alto as well as the choir at the Presbyterian Church in New Canaan. She was an active member of the Junior League, the Wellesley Club, New Sarasotans/Sequel, and the American Association of University Women, and was membership secretary of the Venice chapter of AAUW upon retirement to the Sawgrass community in Venice in 2006. She was an avid reader and bridge player, and was active in book groups and bridge in Sawgrass and the Bath Club on Casey Key. Nettie loved her summers on Cape Cod where she first went in 1976 and always looked forward to relaxing at Smith Heights Cottages in Eastham. Donations may be made to the Sarasota Memorial Health Care Foundation or the American Cancer Society. Services in celebration of her life will be Saturday, May 27 at 3:00pm in the sanctuary of the Church of the Palms, Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, with a reception to follow in the Campus Center. Interment will be in the Bennett family plot, Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, NJ this summer. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. Service Information Date: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Time: 3:00 pm Church of the Palms Address: 3224 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, Florida 34239 941-924-1323 | Map