Sylvia A. Bennett

West Springfield Sylvia A. (McRae) Bennett, died in the arms of her loving husband William, at Baystate Medical Center, early Friday, July 25, 2008, and entered into her eternal home in Heaven. Sylvia was born in Brockton, April 30, 1932, to the late Doris (Silvia) and Melvin McRae. She was brought up and schooled there, graduating from Brockton High School in 1949. Then in 1966, she graduated from Bridgewater State College and later did graduate work at Westfield State College. She had lived in West Springfield since 1966. She taught at the former Old Tatham School and Memorial School, both in West Springfield for 25 years, retiring in 1991. She loved and was loved by the Dominican Nuns at the Mother of God Monastery. She leaves her beloved husband of 53 years, William; her loving son, John J. Bennett of Washington, DC; her caring brother, Melvin McRae of Brockton; and many cherished nieces and nephews. The funeral will be 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Toomey-OBrien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St., West Springfield, followed at 10 a.m. by a liturgy of Christian burial at St. Thomas Church. Burial will be at 11 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, in Agawam. Calling hours will be Monday 4-7 p.m. Donations in Sylvias name may be made the Dominican Nuns, Mother of God Monastery, 1430 Riverdale St., West Springfield, MA 01089.