Marcia Boneita Bentley

Groton - Marcia Boneita Bentley, age 75, of Groton and Hilton Head, S.C., died peacefully on May 13, 2007 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 14, 1931 in Lowell, Mich., the daughter of George and Joy Anderson Fonger.

She was the beloved wife of Lawrence Hewitt Bentley for over 49 years.

Besides her husband she is also survived by her daughter, Donna Duso and her husband, James, of Montville and her son David Lawrence Bentley of New York City.

She was predeceased by her son, William Hewitt Bentley, who is survived by his wife, Barbara G. Bentley, of Waterford.

She also is survived by four grandchildren, Kelly Joy Duso, Jordan Hewitt Bentley, Spencer Charles Bentley, and Craig Avery Bentley; two step granddaughters, Sarah Duso Fuchs and Alison Duso; and a step great-grandson, Aiden Fuchs; two sisters, Marjean Fonger Brillhart and Sandra Fonger, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.; seventeen nieces and nephews and their children.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Merle Jack Fonger, Mac G. Fonger, Richard Ralph Fonger and James W. Fonger.

Marcia was a graduate of Lowell, Mich., High School and Blodgett School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Mich. She traveled twice to California to work at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., and the University of California Hospital in San Francisco. While in San Francisco she met her husband, Larry, who was stationed there in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on Christmas Eve, 1957. They were married there on March 15, 1958 and returned to Larry's family home in North Stonington in September of 1958.

Marcia started her local nursing career at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in September 1958 and worked as head nurse of pediatrics until 1964 when she retired to raise her family. In 1978 she returned to L&M for four years and then she went to work for the New London Visiting Nurses Association until 1993. She truly enjoyed her profession and when Larry and she retired to Hilton Head, S.C., she became an early staff member of a free clinic staffed by retired health care professionals named Volunteers in Medicine. Today the originator of this clinic has expanded the concept all over the country.

Even though she was born in Michigan, Marcia enjoyed boating with her family and spent many hours fishing or at Block Island. She used to jokingly tell people that she never knew whether she was loading or unloading the boat for another trip but she went on all of them. Larry had eight boats all of which were named "MARCIA-B" and the name is still recognized among the local boaters. The family took many boating vacations in New England plus traveling to Florida by boat. They were active members of the Shennecossett Yacht Club where Larry was commodore for several years. Marcia also belonged to the Groton Child and Family Agency and L&M Auxiliary.

Marcia was devoted to her family and was a beloved wife and mother. She always was there when one of them needed help, putting their needs before her own. She was a passionate and well respected nurse and put her skills to use with many people.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 o'clock at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St. A funeral service will be held on Thursday morning at 10:30 at the First Church of Christ Congregational, Groton. Interment will be in Wheeler Cemetery, North Stonington. A reception will follow at the Shennecossett Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Building Restoration Fund, First Church of Christ Congregational, 162 Monument St. Groton, CT 06340 or in her name to the Patient Fund of the Cancer Center, c/o Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London, CT 06320.

Please visit www.byles. com for directions or to leave a condolence note for the family.