Bennett, Jean Wilgus

Jean Wilgus Bennett

Born a Connecticut Yankee in 1917, a direct descendant of the Mayflower, and only child of Edward and Anna Barlow, Jean Barlow Wilgus Bennett was blessed with a full well-lived life until her death on May 29, 2010.

At the age of 6, while convalescing after a severe case of scarlet fever, Jean was introduced by her nurse to her life-long hobby of knitting. Later in her twenty's, she began a cottage industry in Gaspe, Quebec her summer home, employing local women who knit socks and bed-jackets for her that she sold in Womens Exchanges throughout New England. Her passion for knitting continued all through her life and Jean would often be seen knitting while attending her children's sporting events. Even in the last years of her life she knit thousands of preemie caps for babies born in Sussex County and for her own grand and great-grand children.

As a child, Jean was tutored in French, dancing, tennis, horseback riding, music and swimming. Throughout her childhood Jean had extraordinary opportunities to travel and to witness historical events: a trip to NYC where she watched Lindbergh's ticker tape parade at age 10; a cruise to Bermuda in 1929 with her parents where she learned to ride a bicycle; a cruise on the "high seas" to London and France with her mother and aunt where she conducted all of the business on the trip because of the three she alone spoke French; and a detour in 1939 on their way to Gaspe where they saw King George V , Queen Mary, and children in Nova Scotia.

She entered Smith College in Massachusetts in 1935 and graduated in June of 1939 with a BA in Sociology.

Many happy moments of Jean's life were spent in Gaspe where her parents owned a riverfront home, and where she spent her summers from 1936 to 1942. She ran a tea-room named the Rickety Ann and "had a ball." Many of Jean's life long friends were made in Gaspe.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jean joined the cause and "walked the block" by helping the block warden ensure that no lights were visible in Bridgeport, Conn., a large munitions center. She also volunteered with the Red Cross and Bridgeport Hospital. In 1943-1945 Jean worked with the military intelligence service, G-2, in New York and at the Pentagon.

While in Washington, Jean met Willliam E Wilgus, a native of Sussex County and they were married in December of 1946. Subsequently they bought a farm and moved to Frankford, Delaware, and were blessed with the birth of 5 children along with three step-children. In 1960, she began teaching 5th grade at John M Clayton school in Frankford. She continued teaching in the Indian River School District until her 1980 retirement. Her first husband, Bill, died that same year.

In June of 1986 Howard Bennett, Bill's former college roommate at UD, re-appeared on the scene and courted Miss Jean. Jean and Howard were married and she moved to Easton, Maryland. Howard died unexpectedly in 1987. Jean moved back to Sussex County in 1994 and later spent the remainder of her life in Millsboro. She enjoyed times with her wonderful friends of the Chatterbox Club and hosting her children and grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her husbands William E Wilgus and Howard Bennett, her daughter Anna Jean Wilgus and her devoted son-in-law Chris Hagberg.

Those of her children who are left behind but graced by her life, are Robert Barlow Wilgus (Mary Doug) of Tallahassee, Florida, Viola Wilgus Hagberg (Chris) of Millsboro (who has tirelessly devoted the last two years of her life to be her mother's caretaker), William Barlow Wilgus(Susan) of Millsboro and Edward Barlow Wilgus (Jeanne) of Ocean View and a "special daughter" Chrissy Lindstrom Murray of Fairfield, Connecticut. She also leaves behind step-daughters: Helen Wilgus Swanson (Carl) and Susan Wilgus Betts (George Abbott) of Milford and Charlotte Wilgus Cleary of Arlington, VA, along with numerous grand and great-grandchildren.

Visitation from 5-7 pm, Wednesday, June 2nd, Watson Funeral in Millsboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice, Newark, DE or your favorite charity.

(06/01/10)