Beverly Backus Bennett

BENNETT, Beverly Backus 85, of St. Petersburg died at the home of her caretaker, Sandra Stone, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Mrs. Bennett was born in Hampshire, Ill. daughter of a prominent banker. She moved with her parents and sister, Claudia, to St. Petersburg in 1937 after visiting for several years during the winter season. At 15, she was named Queen of Young Winter Visitors. It would be the first of many accolades for the beautiful young woman. Two years later, while a student at St. Petersburg High School, she won a superior rating in the soprano division at the National Music Contest in West Palm Beach. After graduation in 1940, she earned a degree at St. Petersburg Junior College. At the college, she met Michael Moffett Bennett, its young registrar. They fell in love and were married in 1942. Dr. Bennett became the college's president in 1950 and Mrs. Bennett was his constant helpmate in promoting the college's interests. She was valued in her own right as a civic leader. Mrs. Bennett was the first chairman of the Greater St. Petersburg Allied Arts Council which later became the Pinellas County Arts Council. She was part of the group that merged symphony orchestras in St. Petersburg and Tampa into what is now the Florida Orchestra, participating in a historic meeting on a barge in Tampa Bay, between the two cities, to promote the merger. Over the years she served on the boards of numerous organizations including the Red Cross, Children's Home Society and Friends of the Library. In 1961, she was one of two women from Florida selected to be delegates to McCall's fifth annual Better Living Conference at which she was dubbed Stainless Steel Bennett because of her advocacy for colored appliances. A representative from U.S. Steel contacted her to explain why it was an impractical idea. She assisted Minneapolis Honeywell, an aeronautical manufacturing company, in relocating families when the company opened a plant in St. Petersburg. In 1962, Mrs. Bennett was chosen Woman of the Year by Mayor Herman Goldner and in 1963 was on the Queen of Hearts Court. Mrs. Bennett's first priority was always her family. She took immense pride in the accomplishments of her children Charles, Anne and William. Their daughter died tragically in 1969 but they drew great comfort and strength from their sons, Chuck, now a retired Episcopal priest, and Bill, an attorney practicing in Clearwater. On weekends, the Bennetts would often get away to the Homosassa River to fish for bass; when they had more time, especially after his retirement in 1978, their love of travel took them to Europe, Polynesia and New Zealand, which became a favorite spot for both of them to visit. An extraordinary operatic singer, she performed locally in churches and concerts. One of her favorite venues was Temple Beth-El, where she annually sang during the High Holy Days. She was also a gifted teacher and nurtured several generations of voice students, many of whom became life-long friends. Mrs. Bennett was a deeply spiritual person whose faith carried her through the loss of her beloved husband in 1995. Mrs. Bennett's greatest joy in her later years were her two grandchildren, Sarah Bennett Tatum, of Panama City, Panama, and Colin Matthew Bennett, of Ann Arbor, MI. Their frequent visits and daily telephone calls eased the pain of her final illness, along with the constant presence of Chuck and his wife, Linda, and Bill and his wife, Susan. Illness rarely dampened her charm, charisma and warmth; even bedridden, she entertained a stream of friends to her house. All who loved her grieve her loss but are grateful that she died peacefully, and celebrate the certainty that she is held close in God's hands. Friends may call at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home Friday, October 10, 2008 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Funeral services are at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be sent to the Michael M. Bennett Scholarship Fund at St. Petersburg College, 6605 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.