Vanda Bennett

Vanda Nesti was born on July 25, 1921 in Pistoia, Italy, the daughter of Elide and Santino Nesti. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, her daughter, Mary Jean Bennett and her son-in-law Christopher Radano. She is survived by children William, Robert and Kathleen; grandchildren Stephen Sutherland (April), Todd Bennett (Emily), Erin Radano, Emily Dolci Grimm (David) and Kevin Sutherland (Elizabeth) and 12 great-grandchildren.
Along with her mother and sister, she entered the US through Ellis Island in 1931 at age 9, following her father to the sulphur dioxide reeking steel mills of Clairton, PA to seek a better life. Nobody told her she would arrive at the start of the Great Depression and little did she know how well equipped she was to meet this challenge. Like most of her generation, her indomitable work ethic and putting others before herself were the perfect tonics to meet this "obstacle" and many others that were to follow.
Her parents were able to purchase a home for back taxes and they got to work. The entire back yard was turned into a vegetable garden and the basement was used to board workers in the local mill. At 9 she found herself ironing and doing housework for her parents and the many boarders. From then on, she never stopped working until age 101, when she had to give up sewing because she could no longer thread the needle of her sewing machine.
She married Van William "Bill" Bennett in 1941. Being married and a mother of 4, she became an "expert' in just about everything needed to run a household. Among her many skills, in order of proficiency, were seamstress/entrepreneur, cook, gardener, handyman/repairman (she could locate tools 50 years later), chief "helper", groundskeeper (an expert with a power mower), and snow shoveler (her 90th birthday present was a new snow shovel).
She and Bill moved into their first home shortly after WWII, a housing project with six 800 sq. ft. units to a block. In spite of this modest means, her home was the family refuge for countless holiday gatherings. She effortlessly cooked and entertained without a complaint. Her most remarkable feat was preparing Thanksgiving Dinner for 17 and 2 dogs within this small space.
She became a proficient sewist. These skills grew into a drapery business of more than 20 years. She made drapes and her husband hung them. They were quite the team. Her customers were churches, businesses and countless individuals. She was most proud that her work was so good that she never had to solicit customers. They all came by word of mouth.
She always prided herself on being self-sufficient, no matter the hardship, even when she could have used a helping hand. After her children were grown, she single handedly cared for her "difficult" mother and the many health problems of her husband. She never learned to drive and had to take the bus to get groceries or visit her husband at the hospital or a care facility. Her desire to care for others overshadowed inclement weather or the need for multiple transfers to reach a facility. Bill's deteriorating medical condition eventually led to an "emergency" drive in 2007 to what would become her second home in Quarryville, PA. Her husband passed not long after moving to Quarryville and now she was left to make a new life.
It didn't take long for her to find her niche in Quarryville. She volunteered a New Hope's Community Closet and at QPRC for several years before moving in at the age of 95. She started sewing clothing protectors for the residents in skilled care and before long had made more than 400.
She was often referred to as the "life of the party." She just loved being with people. A newspaper article quoted Holly Metzler, a receptionist at QPRC saying "Vanda is an amazing woman. She is a wonderful lady. At night, the lobby turns into a fun place where all the residents gather and have a laugh until about 9 p.m. Metzler explained that the residents gather because Vanda is there".
Even though she had spent most of her life doing for others, she managed to visit all 48 contiguous states and make 2 trips to visit her native Italy. She also became a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and her hometown Clairton Bears. She made several trips to Hershey, PA to watch the Clairton Bears win state football championships, the most memorable being at age 96 in 12-degree weather.
It would be easy to dismiss her life as simple and unglamorous, but that would demean what really mattered to her. She was happiest when doing for others. She hever put herself before the needs of others. Her life instead has been a very impactful one because she leaves a legacy and example that her many offspring can aspire to. Most of her life she seemed indestructible. She never seemed to be sick and just plowed through everything, but in the end not even the strongest survive. She finally just wore out and passed on Sept. 17, 2024, peacefully and without pain.
There will be no public service. Burial will be private.