Mary Jo Bennett

Mary Jo , 98, died Monday July 31,2017

She had a Master's degree in Education was an Elementary school teacher in Colorado Springs for 27 years She taught 3rdgrade and remedial reading. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, PEO and was a volunteer at Penrose Hospital for several years.

Mary Jo was born in Chihuahua, Mexico on March 15, 1919 to James and Elsie Lancaster. Her mother Elsie died three weeks after Mary Jo's birth. James then married Elsie's sister, Amy Diantha , who raised all 5 children. Mary Jo's father was a missionary in Cuba and Mexico.

Mary Jo met Ed Bennett at New Mexico State University and they were married in 1940 and were together 60 years. Ed passed in 2000. Together they had three children:

Ditty Lynne (Grant), Reb(Barbara) and Andy(Anne). She was preceded in death by her 4 siblings, Elizabeth , Jaime, Diantha(Ditty), and Jonathan and her parents. She has three children, 6 grandchildren: Keegan, Leslie, Steve, Ryan, Cody, Patrick and 9 great grandchildren, Brayden, Nicholas, Cole, Keelie, Aidan, Alex, Emma, Nathan and Audrey.

Mary Jo's interests were music (she played the piano and sang), crosswords, family and extended family. She loved to read, her message to you would be to:

"READ, No book is too big or to small (must be taken with a cup of coffee, of course)".

We will all miss her dearly.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday August 10th at the Lehmberg Chapel at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada. Reception will follow at the church

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to: Brookdale Hospice, 7222 Commerce Center Dr, #140 Colorado Springs 80919First United Methodist Church, 420 n Nevada, Colorado Springs 80903

Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission, 402 Conejos, Colorado Springs 80903. Mary Jo's father( James Lancaster, was the minister of this mission).