Heather LeighAnn Bennett

Heather LeighAnn Bennett, passed away on July 2, 2025 surrounded by her family in the hospital in Duarte, California. She was born on September 24, 1990 in Bakersfield, California to James and Dawn Bennett. Heather grew up in Bakersfield, California. She graduated from Liberty High School in 2008. After high school she attended California State University Bakersfield, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, in 2013. Heather then went on to earn her Masters of Fine Arts in Drama, with an emphasis in Stage Management, at the University of California, Irvine in 2022. She enjoyed working as a substitute teacher starting in 2015 for several years at schools throughout the Bakersfield area. In 2023 she began her dream job, joining Irvine Valley College as faculty, where she taught Stage Management. She is survived by her pride and joy, fur baby Bella; her mother, Dawn Bennett; stepfather, Aaron Judd; stepmother, Michelle Bennett; brothers, Brent (MaKenzie) Bennett, Brady and Ethan Coleman, Zachary Wagoner and Denzille Araneta; sisters Gabriella (Trent Kornbacher) Bennett and Rose Bennett; nieces and nephews, Kameron and Elizabeth Bennett and Elijah and Eliana Kornbacher; along with her grandmother Pauline Best, grandparents Nathan and Novella Judd and great-grandma Marie Ludwick and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Heather is preceded in death by her father, James Robert Bennett; grandfather Steven Lee Hicks; grandmother, Joyce Sharon Hicks; grandfather, David Edward Bennett and Clarence Edward Best. Heather's favorite color was purple. On behalf of the family, we invite everyone to wear shades of purple to honor Heather's memory. Reception to follow, where lunch will be provided at 7320 Wible Road Bakersfield, CA 93313 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26th, 2025. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Heather, please visit our Tree Store.