Bennett, John & Mary

John Charles Bennett was born August 27, 1939, in Calgary, AB, to Charles Vincent Bennett, Jr., & Mary Winnifred (Bell) Bennett, and died October 29, 2023, of Covid, in Elk Point, AB. Predeceased by his baby brother, Arthur (1947); wife, Mary (1988); father (1999); mother (2007); and brother, Ralph (2019). Survived by sister-in-law Sharon Bennett, niece, Elaine (Andy) Bradshaw and their children, Stephen, Julie, Nathan, Belinda; nephew, John (Kim) Bennett and their son, Liam; and many first & second cousins in the Bell, Hickle, Morkin, & Sacha families. 

John mainly grew up in Claresholm, AB, enjoying stamp collecting and studying piano under Henry Waack. He started teaching in 1962 in Elk Point, Mallaig, and Bonnyville, AB, where he met his future wife Mary Loftus. In 1967, he received an Arts degree from U of A (Edmonton), and they were married in St. Paul, AB, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church on August 21, 1968. Initially, John taught in Thorsby and Warburg, and Mary worked at Thorsby City Hall. Later, they moved to Elk Point onto the Loftus homestead. John subsequently worked at several different jobs. He was a regular and longtime attendee at the United Church, and was a 30+ year faithful member of the United Church funeral choir. John deeply grieved the loss of his beloved Mary in April 1988. 

He sang bass with the Elk Point Community Choir from when it formed in 1992, for about 15 years. He was an accomplished pianist, and enjoyed playing for residents at various senior care facilities. John had a heart of gold, and was very kind and generous to others, especially to Mary’s sisters Kathleen McAleese and Margaret Carson. 

The family is very thankful for Gaby Bayduza, the guardian angel who looked after John’s needs, as we lived so far away. We are grateful for the whole Elk Point community, as well as John’s physicians and the staff of Heritage Lodge and Parkview Extended Care. 

Mary Hazel Bennett was born June 3, 1926, to Martin & Mabel (Whitworth) Loftus, and died April 26, 1988 of pancreatic cancer in Vermillion, AB. Predeceased by her mother (1945); and father (1969). She was survived by her husband, John; sister, Kathleen; nephew, Dick McAleese and his children, Jarod & Pamela; and niece, Lloyanne (Nick) Hurd and their children, Tabitha, Enzie & Skye; and sister, Margaret Carson. 

Mary grew up in Elk Point, and played the piano, violin, and accordion. She started teaching in Muriel, AB, in 1952, took summer courses from U of A (Edmonton), and earned her B of Ed degree in 1958. Mary taught in various AB communities, including Elk Point, Thorsby, Warburg, and at a First Nation Reservation Day School in Heinsburg. From 1985-1988, she was an active member of the Northern AB Development Council. She worked to have Fort George and Buckingham House declared a provincial historic site, which opened in 1992. 

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at the Seniors Recreation Centre at 5010 - 48 St., Elk Point, AB, on Saturday, July 6 at 2 pm. Please come with memories of John and Mary to share at the open mic. Reception to follow. 

The family has set up a Bennett Memorial Scholarship in honor of John and Mary with the St. Paul School District. Donation cheques must be made out to “St. Paul Education” and mailed to: St. Paul Education, Attn: Scholarship Coordinator, 4313 - 48 Avenue, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A3 or e transfer to [email protected] and specify “Bennett Memorial Scholarship” in the memo line. Include your full name and mailing address to receive a tax receipt. Condolences can be sent to [email protected]