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Betty Ruth Bennett
Born: 5/17/1930
Died: 3/1/2026
Age: 95
Community: Linden, MI
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Bennett, Betty Ruth, age 95, of Linden, passed away peacefully on Sunday, 1 March 2026, at home with family by her side. Per her desires, cremation has taken place; no service at this time. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Betty’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com, or if desired, donations to The Humane Society of Genesee County, https://geneseehumane.org.
Betty was born on 17 May 1930, in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Martin and Marguerite (Stephenson) Brunette. She was a 1948 graduate of Flint Northern High School. During the summer of 1951, Betty met Theodore Richard Bennett on a blind date on a beach at Lake Fenton, just after his enlistment in the Navy. On a cold December weekend, he hitchhiked home, and they were married on Sunday, 30 December 1951, in Flint, Michigan. Immediately thereafter, she returned with him to his base outside of Washington, D.C. After 68 years together, he died on 26 February 2020.
After living in many locations on the East Coast during Ted’s tour of Naval duty, they returned to Flint after his discharge. She worked briefly for AC Spark Plug. In 1963, they moved to Linden, MI, where they raised three daughters.
Betty devoted her entire life to her family and her home. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved to laugh. She was an outstanding cook and baker, and was renowned for her vast array of Christmas cookies shared with family, neighbors, teachers and school bus drivers. An expert seamstress (furniture slipcovers, wedding gowns, coordinated granddaughter holiday dresses, and everything between), she was also gifted at interior design. Her favorite medium was fabric, though her techniques, artistry, and perfection were apparent in everything she created. For a brief time in the early 1980s, she and Ted owned a small ceramics business, Wee Treasures, selling her finished work at local fairs. Dating back from the mid 1960s to the late 80s, they loved hosting family and friends for pool parties in the summer, serving hot dogs or chili or potluck, making memories and sharing good times. Betty loved birdwatching at her feeders, and all animals, having cherished and lost many dogs and cats throughout her lifetime.
For decades, her extended family met each Wednesday at a restaurant or someone’s home, the multigenerational “Lunch Bunch,” dating back to the late 1970s and continuing well into the 2010s. It was a great source of family love and continuity. As its membership grew and changed, those temporarily in town rejoined the weekly regulars; children grew up and went their ways; new babies and partners were welcomed; and the departed were mourned.
As a couple, she and Ted traveled to Guernsey several times to visit friends, and toured England and France. They motored to east Maine, and west to the Dakotas.
Left to carry on her legacy and cherish her memory are her three daughters: Barbara Shoemaker and Alan Shoemaker of Linden, Sandra Holloway and husband, Michael of Linden, and Melissa Swartz and Kenny Hughes of Burton; her six grandchildren: Luke Shoemaker (Kady Morgan) of Linden, Carlen Shoemaker and son (Betty’s only great-grandchild) Winston Voss of Flint, Mackenzie Swartz (Ryan Cseke) of Allen Park, Mitchell Swartz of Burton, Rachel Holloway of Detroit, and Lauren (Holloway) Shelley and husband, Guy of Kalamazoo; Betty’s granddogs, Bo and Ruthie, with whom she resided, and Louie of Kalamazoo. Betty is also survived by very special nieces and nephews and their families, locally and across the country.
In addition to Ted and her parents, Betty was preceded in death by: her son-in-law Michael Swartz; mother-in-law Freda Bennett; siblings: Elaine Brown and very special brother-in-law William Brown, Patricia Grant, Donald Brunette, Robert Brunette; sisters-in-law: Betty Brunette and Ruth Mullaly; niece, Sue Ann Koebke; and many other extended family members.
At future a date, Ted and Betty will rest together in a columbarium at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.
Betty’s obituary was written by her loving family. |
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4/10/2026 |
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| Funeral Service |
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