BENNETT, Doreen Isabelle - On September 1, 2021, Doreen, a bright light, passed away peacefully with family at her bedside and while listening to Frank Sinatra serenading her to ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and the soothing voice of Renee Fleming’s ‘Ava Maria’.
Doreen was born in Toronto in 1926 to William and Ruth Amelia Sutton (née Smith) and attended Parkdale Collegiate from 1939 to 1942.
She was part of a large family, the 6th of eight children (Bill, Beatrice, Kathleen, Celia, Ruby, Phyllis, Thomas), and was a naturally talented musician and aspiring opera singer.
At the age of 31, Doreen met the love of her life, John Charles Bennett, the ‘cute English gentleman’ who fell in love with her voice. After a whirlwind engagement they were married just six months later and fourteen months later in were blessed with the birth of their first son, John Douglas.Shortly thereafter, Doreen moved with her husband John and young family from Toronto to Boucherville, Quebec where she welcomed three additional babies, Thomas Hedley, Ellen Ruth and Kathleen Elizabeth.
In retirement, when she was not bowling with her friends in Boucherville, or meeting for coffee, Doreen could be found on her patio watching birds and enjoying her English garden. Doreen also enjoyed her time with her much loved grandchildren Emily, Eric, Jill, Austin, Ariane, Michael, Sarah, Joel, Paul and Jacqueline.
More recently, Doreen and John returned to Toronto and enjoyed living downtown at the Manulife Centre where they continued to live independently for 6 years.
In March of 2021, following a fall, Doreen moved into the Belmont House.
Doreen leaves behind the love of her life and husband of 64 years, John Charles Bennett of Toronto, her four children John (Heather Bennett) of Clarksburg, Thomas of Montreal, Ellen (Daniel Laskowitz) of Chapel Hill, NC, Kathleen (Michael Bracken) of Toronto, as well as ten grandchildren Emily, Eric & Jill Bennett, Austin & Ariane Cook, Sarah and Michael Laskowitz, Joel Bracken, and Paul and Jacqueline Bennett.
She also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, June and Leon Bennett, her brother Thomas Sutton of Trenton as well as many nieces and nephews, godchildren, friends, neighbours, and co-workers, all of whom were touched by her bright light.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either: The Belmont House or The Canadian Opera Company.
A private service will be held.
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