HELLEN EDITH BENNETT

Hellen Edith Bennett (Willett) - beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Aunt passed away at home in the early hours February 17, 2023.

Hellen was born September 01, 1943 in Lynwood CA to Mr. & Mrs. William and Harriett Willett.

She is survived by her younger brother - Craig (Charlotte) Willett, daughter - Theresa (Christopher) Alexander, grandsons - Zachary, Miles, Jaron - one nephew and two nieces. Predeceased her - life partner of over 30 years, Richard Van Vantuyl.

Hellen graduated from Ft. Meade FL High School and earned her nursing degree from Univ. of Miami in '66. She took an early retirement from being the 'Floor Nurse" in the Neonatal Unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta GA after she completed her Bachelors for Industrial Engineering from Southern Tech, Ga. She went to work as a Senior Health Consultant (Regional Expert) for Sun Health Inc and then earned her Masters Degree in the early part of '90.

After full retirement she opened up her own business - Artisans Crafts where she ran consignments and taught several classes to include sewing. Hellen was a master seamstress and in constant demand for her creations - she especially enjoyed creating doll cloths for children and would tour local craft shows where her products were always in high demand. The wedding dress she made for her daughter was so unique and beautiful that people at the reception were asking who the designer was, but that was just one of her many talents. She also enjoyed creating jewelry/beading and dabbled in painting, bred Eskimo Spitzs and square danced.

Gardening was only second to her crafting. On her two acres of land she had a variety of cherry, apple trees along with blackberries, strawberries and rhubarb in addition to her standard garden and would spend the entire summer canning and jamming to give away to family and friends
just for the joy of doing it. I remember as a child our beautiful landscaped yard with all the variety of flower beds that were a joy to the neighbors and she actually won a few awards for. For downtime Hellen enjoyed camping and reading, she was a country girl at heart regardless of the city life she lived.

Hellen was a very giving person to the point that she didn't know how to tell someone no, unfortunately that led to her over obligating on many occasions, but that was her heart and she just wanted to help you in any way she thought she could.

Our family will miss her dearly, her death was unexpected and I know as any who have lost a loved one, we wish we had just a little more time. We will march on and embrace our treasured memories of Hellen and hope we have given you a peek at the wonderful person she was.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278