Kathleen Berning Bennett (nee Kathleen Marie Briggs) of Princess Anne Maryland died on December 7, 2014 after a brief illness. Born August 23, 1923 in Carlinville, IL, she was the daughter of Bertha Boyer Briggs and George Calvert Briggs. She grew up in Ferguson, MO, graduated from the Ursuline Academy in St. Louis and attended St. Louis University. After her marriage to William Berning, the couple moved to New Jersey. She had two children, James Edward Berning and infant daughter Mary Berning, both of whom predeceased her.
After she was widowed, Kay significantly expanded her family when she married Thomas M Bennett a widower with five children.
Kay had an active career as an administrative assistant at Union Catholic High School and Schering-Plough. In 1988 Tom and Kay retired to Somerset County. They established a true home in this Eastern Shore community where they developed many deep and abiding friendships. Here, "Miss Kay" was a volunteer for numerous organizations including: Coastal Hospice, the Somerset County Historical Society, Somerset County Historical Trust, Somerset County Garden Club and Somerset County Museum Consortium, Somerset County Professional Women's Club and Olde Princess Anne Days, Inc. In addition she was always an active parishioner in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church and Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Westover and Pocomoke.
Miss Kay was also preceded in death by her sisters Pauline Keppler and Mary Lou Wright and daughter, Michaele Landenberger. She is survived by daughter Marianne Bennett (Chas Rapson) Albuquerque, NM, sons Thomas Bennett Jr. (Cathy) Lebanon Township, NJ, Ted Bennett, Akron, OH and Terrence Bennett, Upper Black Eddy, PA, eight grandchildren, Kate Berning Alfred, James Berning Jr., Christopher Berning, Sean Rapson, Liam Rapson Amelia Landenberger, Josephine Landenberger Petrovich and Thomas Bennett, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM in St. Elizabeths Catholic Church in Westover. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Rev. William Porter will officiate
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802