Kathryn G. Bennett 1938-2020

Kathy was born Oct. 11, 1938, in Salem, to Elden and Jeanette Shelles Groves. She married Larry J. Bennett in 1960 and was a proud Navy wife in Newport, R.I.

She graduated from Greenford High School in 1956, where she was a cheerleader, band member and class vice-president. She then graduated from The Ohio State University in 1960 as a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, which led to being a lifelong Buckeye supporter.

She taught home economics at United Local Schools and remained friends with colleagues and students. She was an important employee at the family-owned Bennett’s Greenhouse.

Kathy was a faithful servant and member of the First United Methodist Church of Salem, serving on every possible committee, doing things without recognition, being nursery coordinator as her mother before her, supporting the church through the United Methodist Women and chairing many fundraising functions.

Following in her father’s footsteps, she used her writing talents to spend many years as women’s editor of the Farm and Dairy, sharing life experiences, household hints and recipes.

She was the first woman elected to the Mahoning County Agricultural Association, presiding over the Arts and Crafts, Fine Arts, and Floral buildings. She is, to this date, the first and only female to serve as president of the Canfield Fair. She spent her childhood as a 4-H member active in both Mahoning and Columbiana County fairs with sewing and dairy entries, as well as being selected as 4-H queen. Her commitment was so strong, as the story goes, that because she had no ride to a 4-H meeting, she drove a tractor. The Bennett family was selected as Outstanding Rural Family of the Year at the fair. She also earned the honor of an Ohio 4-H Alumni Award.

Kathy loved reading. Serving on the board of the Mahoning County Library Association and completing daily crossword puzzles showed her love of books and words. She also enjoyed traveling with family and her husband across the country and to Europe. Throughout the years, they had many wonderful traveling companions to share these experiences.

She was a founding and / or active member of the 3M’s Sunday school class, Greenford Busy Bees 4-H Club, Greenford Historical Society and the South Range Schools Foundation and Athletic Boosters. She spent her time with family and friends in Red Hats, Card Club (which never actually played cards), Bible study, Columbiana County Home Economics Association, Salem Jubilee Steering Committee, the Ohio State University Alumni Association and Greenford Alumni Association.

Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her family: children, Lisa (Chris) Toy of Salem and Steven (Amy) Bennett of Westerville; grandchildren, Elise Bennette, Ethan Bennett and Jessie (Clayton) Glidewell of Virginia Beach; and great-grandchildren, Zoe and Barrett Glidewell. Other loving family members include: sister, Janice Groves Lesher of Sebring; sister-in-law, Kay (Alex) Mariotti of Canfield; and step-siblings, Jim Crouse, Beth (Rich) Crouse Applegarth and Mark Crouse.

There will be a private farewell ceremony for immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date for extended family and friends who loved Kathy.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kathy’s memory to The First United Methodist Church of Salem Memorial Fund, 244 South Broadway Ave. Salem, OH 44460.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home,Salem, OH, 330-337-6363. Friends and Family may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.brownfhonline.com.

(special notice)