Lorna Vivian Bennett

Lorna Vivian Bennett
Oct. 20, 1935 ~ Jul. 15, 2014
Forty-Seven Year Resident of El Cerrito
Lorna Bennett passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2014 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Her family was at her bedside. Lorna was born to Morris and Bea Regolsky in Boston, Massachusetts and spent her early years there. She was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She edited the UM literary magazine "The Quarterly" which published some of her early poetry. Shortly after graduation she came to California to visit her older sister. Within a week of arrival she attended a Valentine's Day party where she met Grant Bennett. They were married in 1960. She worked at Stanford for five years putting Grant through school at San Jose State University before starting her family. The family came to El Cerrito in 1966. Lorna was active in the alternative school movement of the 1970's, serving as president of Crestmont School for a time. She started to work again after her son was in high school, and began a career at California School of Professional Psychology in 1984 working there in academic administration until her retirement in 1999. After retirement there was travel to Europe and a 50th anniversary cruise to Alaska, as well as time spent with her beloved granddaughters. Lorna loved the Berkeley adult school poetry workshop, and her women writer's group. She was also a member of the Point Isabel Dog Owners association. She scheduled her work day so that she could take her dog Clancy there every day for a long walk. Lorna was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2008. She became active in PDActive a local organization of afflicted people who have joined together for mutual benefit and support. She particularly enjoyed dance classes for people with PD. Lorna is survived by her husband of 54 years, her daughter Elizabeth Porco (Travis), granddaughters Lucia and Laurel, son Jonathan, sisters Elaine Shinbrot, Janice Babcock, and Estelle Regolsky, as well as a wide circle of friends and colleagues. There will be a celebration of life on October 16, 2014 at 3PM at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall Cedar and Bonita Streets in Berkeley. Donations in Lorna's memory may be made to PDActive at PO Box 22923 Oakland, CA 94609.