Marian Ellen Bennett

Marian Ellen Bennett August 27, 1931 - April 4, 2014 Marian Ellen Bennett, 82, of Wenatchee passed away April 4, 2014 (after surviving breast cancer she eventually succumbed to blood cancer). Marian was born August 27, 1931, to Florence and Victor Koski in Coos Bay. As a girl Marian helped her parents maintain the house on the family farm where she learned to cook, bake, and take care of others. She also learned to climb the occasional tree when the bull was in a bad mood! At the age of ten, Marian began caring for her baby sister, Eileen, and then nearly a year later, her baby brother, Harvey. As she grew up Marian helped her father in his tailor shop and for her hard work her "Daddy" would take her out for ice cream and a movie. She attended Oregon State for two years until she met her first husband, Arnold Berlage. They were married in 1952 and had three sons Steven, James and Brian. Steven works for Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Seattle, Washington, James is a pediatric dentist in Germany, and Brian is a CPA and has started his own firm. Arnold and Marian were married for 26 years. Marian married her second husband, Wayne Kingsley, in 1979 and they were happily married until his death in 1994. Marian loved being a part of Wayne's family and had in his children lifelong friends. While married to Wayne, Marian started her own consignment shop for second-hand children's clothing which she proudly named Apple Grannies. Her grandchildren, Adrianne, Jessica, Rachel, Jamie, Cees, and Hallie loved their "apple granny" who they affectionately christened "Momo." Her two great-granddaughters, 2-year-old, Olivia and 18-month-old, Natalie will know their great-grandmother through the thousand stories there are to tell, and their Momo felt infinitely blessed to have known them even if for a short while. Her grandchildren and her many friends enjoyed her legendary hospitality. Momo was always ready with seven-course meals, fold out couches and fierce hugs. She cherished her family and she was cherished in return. Her numerous friends were a second family. She often found friends that needed taking care of in some way whether that was a hot meal or just a brighter outlook. In addition to care-giving and entertaining, Momo loved to sing and she loved to shop and sent out countless presents. Momo's gifts were unmistakable - always wrapped in comics - and those who received them knew how loved they were. For her extraordinary generosity, humor and loving heart she will be remembered by all those who survive her including her three sons, her six grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, her sister, her brother, her aunt, Myrle Carr, and beloved husband, Kenneth Bennett with whom she shared the last 15 years of her life--filled with travel, games and family. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 9th, 10:00am at the Brethren Baptist Church, Wenatchee and a Memorial Mass at noon on Saturday, May 10, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee, Washington. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel. To share memories please visit www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com and www.theworldlink.com. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023. Checks may be made payable to SCCA with indication that they are in memory of Marian Bennett. Or call (206) 288-2070 or (877) 308-3117 to make a donation by phone.