Alice Talcott Bennet

concord - Alice Talcott Bennet passed away in Boston on October 22, leaving behind a legacy of love of family, community building, and a deep commitment to personal and spiritual growth. She was 89 years old.

Alice was born in 1934 in New York, NY the daughter of Ruth Pratt Talcott Ives and Charles Hooker Talcott. She grew up in Manhattan and attended The Brearley School before going to Smith College, where she earned a BA in English Literature.

A devoted sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and wife, Alice shared three children: Jennifer, Stiles, and Pratt with her former husband, Bill Bennet.

Alice and Bill were married in 1958, and after living in Brooklyn for two years, made the fateful decision to move to the Midwest, where they started their family. Their 15 years there, first in Chicago and Winnetka, IL, then in Kalamazoo, MI, were filled with extraordinary adventures and travel as Mr. Bennet's company Michigan Cottage Cheese rapidly grew. Alice threw herself into raising the three kids, tirelessly entertaining the couple's many friends, enthusiastically embracing the tennis and paddle tennis circuits, creating beautiful gardens, and traveling.

In 1972, the family moved to Paris for one year, an experience that would further transform Alice. It was here that she leaned into her passion for adventure and expansion, learned to cook classic French cuisine, explored the art world which refined her colorful sense of style, and took her family on travels that spanned three continents.

In 1976, the family moved back east, settling in Concord, MA, where Alice would live for the next 35 years. Shortly after moving to Concord, Alice was hired as one of the founding trio of brokers at the JM Barrett real estate company, and she worked there for the next 30 years. The company's founder, Jane Barrett, went on to become one of her dearest friends. Alice was the ultimate team player and cheerleader, helping to build the positive and supportive culture that contributed to the company's phenomenal success. Alice was the leading broker in town on multiple occasions, and eagerly mentored a generation of real estate brokers.

Regardless of where she lived and worked, Alice spent every summer of her life on the shores of Squam lake in New Hampshire. Generations of nieces, nephews, cousins and uncles knew Alice as a passionate mountain climber, prankster, explorer of backroads and mountain streams, spiritual guide, enthusiastic kayaker and above all else, as someone who was deeply interested and engaged in their lives. During the many family parties Alice hosted, she would be seen in deep conversation with family members of all ages.

Alice enjoyed reading the works of Thich Nhat Hahn, the Dali Lama, and Deepak Chopra to deepen her understanding of her life's journey. She was a prolific writer, and stayed connected with scores of family members and friends who enjoyed getting her lengthy letters.

Alice is survived by her immediate family, including her children Jennifer Bennet, Stiles Bennet and Pratt Bennet and their spouses; grandchildren Janae Ysaguirre, Paola and Juliette Bennet; and Cooper and Brittany Bennet. She is also survived by her siblings Gerry Ives and Amy Talcott Adkins, her Squam cousins Frank Pratt and Mary Pratt Ardant, all of their children and grandchildren, and a wide circle of friends. Alice was predeceased by her husband Bill Bennet.

The family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Squam Lakes Conservation Society in lieu of flowers. The family will hold services at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery on November 12th.