Obituary of Freda May Bennett

It is with broken hearts we had to say goodbye to our mother, Freda May Bennett (nee Carnahan) who passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2021. Loving wife of Charles Bennett (July 28, 2020). Dear sister of Ester Matthews, Erma Jean Brown and Glen Carnahan (all predeceased). Freda was a loving and devoted mother to Barbara (Ted Bondy), Colin, Debra (Vaughan Clayton), Tracy (Brad Blackburn), Shelley and Vicki (Michel Wynands). Treasured grandmother of Corrie (Jason), Christie (Shawn), Curtis (Corrie), Chris, Bianca (Jake), Brittany (Mike), Chelsea (Phil), Taylor (Ryan), and Jonathon. Fun loving great grandmother to Julia, Grace, Jaxson, Spencer, Adam, Zahra, Chase, Evan, Nolan, Liv and Laney. Freda was born a New Years Day Baby!!! The youngest of 4 children to Robert and Eva (Nicholson) Carnahan. Life on the family farmstead would groom her to become one strong willed, smart, logical and caring woman. Born during the depression era, she would experience her first lesson in life, to learn the true value of things. The elementary one room schoolhouse was about a mile away from there home. Freda and her siblings would enjoy walking the shortcut to school along the railroad tracks and on the way exploring nature’s adventures in rain, snow, sleet or sunshine. During Freda’s high school years, sports were her passion, thus excelling in Basketball. She loved to entertain at family functions, playing the piano for sing-a-longs. Then it was off to college. She was up for the adventure of attending Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, especially with her future sister-in-law Viv. It was secretarial and business courses that caught her attention. Their finest memories of college was enjoying the comradery of the Hawaiian students. During the summers on the farmstead, Freda’s parents would take in boarders to help out on the farm. One young gentlemen whom boarded there, was Bob Skeates. Bob had a buddy from town, “Charlie Bennett”, who came to pick him up one day. Upon Charlie’s arrival, he caught a glimpse of Freda and he was immediately smitten with her. A true romance ignites!!! The City Boy gets the Country Girl. Wedding bells would ring. Dad’s side of the story was …once he was tempted with her decadent chocolate cake, It was love for life. Over the years they would be blessed with 6 children to fulfill their lives. In the late summer of 1954, Freda was 6 months pregnant with her first child and worked in the office at a manufacturing plant. When they found out she was pregnant, they terminated her due to another co-worker who experienced a difficult pregnancy around the same time and had to take lots of time off. What a wrongful dismissal lawsuit this would be today. Within the following year, they were building their home and the unexpected happen. Freda would lose her mother to Cancer. She worked at a law firm for a couple of years till more babies came along and life got really busy. Mom was well respected in her secretarial field, so much so, that when companies needed an impartial party to type up contracts… she was the one! Manual typewriters were it. Now they are classified retro and come in many colours. Her career life changed to adjust to her growing family life and needs. The neighbours were in need of a caregiver for one of the grandparents and she was a sure fit for the task since everyone knew each other well. That would also help mom out being close to home. When the caring was no longer needed, she embarked on a new career of house keeping. Let’s face it, housekeepers are a tremendous asset to our busy lifestyles. There was no slowing Freda down. She would also help out her sister and husband at their meat stall at the Windsor Market on Saturdays. Browns Quality Meats was a legend. By now there were 6 children at home, whom could pull together as a team, to make our household manage while both parents worked. Mom taught us many life skills, such as sewing, gardening, canning fruits and vegetables, meal prep, baking bread and the finest of all were her line of baked goods!!! YUM!!! If company stopped by, there was always something prepared ahead. Date squares were the most requested, along with coffee squares and cherry squares. The kids’ favorites were chocolate drop and chocolate chip cookies and they would grab them with ease, so they could run back outside to play. There was an open door policy at our house. Come on into the back room, then knock on the inside door. So….an honourable mention goes to our cousin Carl Nicholson, for being the most entertaining cookie monster ever. He would come in and plant his nose on the window in the door, till someone saw him, then he would go right over to the cookie cupboard to indulge in some tasty homemade treats. Sean Beneteau was a young neighbour boy, who would ride his bicycle from their house, pass through our semi-circle driveway, stop and walk into our house, get a cookie and then ride off across to his grandparents across the road. On his way home, the same routine would occur. Momma Bennett (Freda) broadened her caring services to our preschool neighbour, Tim Beneteau. She babysat him during the next few years, and she brought along her youngest daughter Vicki, who was the same age, so instant playmates they were. Freda cherished her church life. Freda loved to volunteer for any gathering such as Friday family fun nights, Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, luncheons and packing Christmas baskets for families in need. She opened her door to everyone she knew, whom needed to feel like they belong. Cousins and friends were always welcomed, respected and acknowledged. Freda’s home was her haven, and her comfort zone. She felt most comfortable being behind the scenes kinda woman. She did what she had to, to get things done. Her passions in life were, caring for her family, loving her grandchildren and great grandchildren and cherished any family or friend dropping by for a visit. She also loved sewing, crocheting, watching a good championship series of baseball, basketball, hockey and golf, enjoying a good word search puzzle and it goes without saying …..JEOPARDY AND WHEEL OF FORTUNE!!!!!!! In closing, I would like to take a moment to reflect on all the changes my mother would of seen over the 9 decades of her life, and that is one amazing history lesson in itself.. The transformation of planes, trains and automobiles, fashion, eye wear, hair styles, music, cell phones and computers and most of all having the comfort of a flushable toilet. All these things we take for granted today. Her legacy of knowledge, common sense and love will be greatly missed. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Richmond Terrace for the care they have provided Freda over the years. Cremation has taken place and the family has chosen to have a private Celebration of Life. In kindness donations can be made to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission at 298 Victoria Street South, Amherstburg, Ontario. Refer to the website at aburgmission.ca, …. call the office 519-736-9140, …. Manager Tim at 226-345-0854. (Tax receipts provided) Arrangements entrusted to SIMPLE CHOICE (Amherstburg) 519-254-2585. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.simplechoicecremation.ca . LOVE YOU MUCH MOM - IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER