What is our wish? To receive faith, hope, and love to pass on those virtues and graces - faith in God and ourselves, hope to live a good, joyful life and to have and receive love for and from others. Our mother, Barbara Bennett led the way, and we plan on following her in that way.

       Barbara Ryan Bennett, the first of eight children, was born to James and Elizabeth Ryan of Cazenovia, NY on July 2, 1934. After 91 years of an extraordinary life, she died on March 6, 2026, full of peace and love after praying the rosary.

       To describe Barbara beyond her roles of daughter, sister, cousin, nurse, wife, mother, aunt, friend, is to recognize a life of service through her careful nurturing of all close to her as family or as a registered nurse.

       As a fourth generation Cazenovian, she was very proud of her Irish heritage. She brought compassion, humor, and a sharp wit along with a sparkle or wink in her eye, whether in conversation or written communication. She loved to write or co-write cogent, clever letters with her husband to the Cazenovia Republican editor or others in important civic roles to elucidate the truth.

       She was committed to her community in several ways. She served on the Madison County Democratic Committee, worked as an election poll worker, and served a term on the Cazenovia Village Board. Barbara was strongly patriotic and was a decades old member and officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, parading, selling poppies, and serving meals to veterans. She lived out her faith, serving St. James Church as a teacher of religion education, an Altar Society member, and was a member of the Funeral Reception and Cemetery Committees.

       One of our mom’s most satisfying pleasures was in her professional life as a nurse helping students negotiate life skills at her alma mater, Cazenovia Central School, for 24 years.

       We always admired Mom’s ability to welcome anyone with a cup of tea, and cooking feasts for the holidays with all the relatives joining in. She never forgot to send cards and a little cash to siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Such a class act!

       As she began to have more leisure time, Barbara enjoyed boating on Cazenovia Lake with their “Cheers” boat with her husband, Floyd, and dear friends Janice and Ed Ryan, as well as their trips to Sanibel Island. She enjoyed visits to Martha’s Vineyard, Maine, California, Hawaii, and Ireland, more than once. She was also a loyal patron of the Cazenovia Library, reading several mystery novels a week, and loved to get phone calls to tell her that her books were ready for pick up! Mom kept the light on to read in bed up to her last night. She also thoroughly enjoyed her time with the Cazenovia Bowling Alley “Book Club” on Friday afternoons.

       No matter where she went, she loved to be part of the party! She enjoyed singing, dancing, and toasting with her beloved BV and water. She could cheer on the Brooklyn Dodgers, the NY Yankees, and the Buffalo Bills with the best of them. She became an avid golfer, inspiring others to hit the links at the Cazenovia Golf Club into her 90th year.

       One of our proudest claims is that she hand made quilts for each of her fourteen grandchildren to celebrate their high school graduations. Her grandchildren paraded them in and surrounded her to honor her at her 90th birthday celebration at the Lincklaen House in Cazenovia. The Lincklaen House was near and dear to her heart, as this is where she began to work as a fourteen year old, followed by her wedding reception, as well as all the later family wedding receptions, baby showers, and other numerous family celebrations. Many treasured family photos were taken on the steps of this fine establishment. The Seven Stone Steps was her place of frivolity, as she met friends every Friday night for many years, where she bantered with her lifetime friend and favorite bar tender, Frank Costello.

       Barbara’s children thank all her friends for all the gifts and cards, and prayers this past year. We are grateful for her caregivers, Carmell, Essie, Ginny, and Tajah from Griswold Care who spent restless nights with her for over a year to help her remain in her own home. We appreciate Jennifer Rohr who gave so much of herself every morning caring for our mother. We especially acknowledge, with love, her faithful brother, Richard (Uncle Dick), who devotedly visited her at least twice a day to brighten everyone’s spirits.

       Barbara is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Stephen) May, Susan (Thomas Devine) Bennett, Amy Bennett (Mark Tugaw) Conley, H. Terrence (Cara) Bennett, Nora (James) Devoy, daughter-in-law Elaine Bennett, and her pet dog, “Annie Also,” her siblings, Betsy McDermott, Margaret Clancy, James (Susan) Ryan, Richard Ryan, and sister-in-law, Margaret Bennett. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren,10 great grandchildren, 15 nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

       Barbara was predeceased by her parents James and Elizabeth Ryan, her husband of 42 years, Floyd Bennett, her son, James Bennett, her granddaughter, Molly Bennett, and her brothers John Ryan, Robert Ryan, and Timothy Ryan.

       Doopsie Da!

       If you wish to honor our mother, please consider making a contribution to the Cazenovia Public Library, 100 Albany St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 or St. James Catholic Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia, NY 13035.

       Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, March 9, 2026 at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in St. James Catholic Church in Cazenovia. Burial will be in the spring at St. James Cemetery, Cazenovia. Condolences for the Bennett family may be left at www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.