Frances "Sally" Bennett

Frances “Sally” Bennett passed away on July 5, 2023 at Chestnut Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oneonta, NY where she had been a resident for 2 years. She previously resided at Early Woodlands Apartments, and Rose Street in a home that Sally and Fred purchased in the 1960’s.

Sally was born in Cleveland, NY on September 12, 1930 to Fred R. Brooks, Sr and Frances Marie Brooks (Becker). Her grandfather, Dr. John Becker delivered Sally and all of her siblings.

Sally grew up in Sharon, Connecticut and moved to Fly Creek, NY when she was in high school and graduated from Cooperstown High School. She then attended SUNY Cortland where she met her future husband, Fred Bennett. They were both pursuing careers in Physical Education. She married Fred Bennett on September 6, 1950 in Cooperstown NY. They resided in Ithaca, NY while Fred was enrolled at Ithaca College. After he graduated they moved to Cobleskill in 1953.

Sally was a member of the Cobleskill community and the Cobleskill United Methodist Church for over 70 years. Sally and Fred ran the Village pool for many years, hiring staff and teaching lessons. Sally also taught lessons on Summit Lake. She was a cub scout leader and also helped her husband for many years with the “Outing Club” at SUNY Cobleskill.

Sally and Fred enjoyed camping, skiing, hiking, biking and many outdoor activities. The place they enjoyed the most was the camp on Summit Lake that Sally purchased in 1975 for her and Fred’s retirement. The camp was a staging area for sailboats, canoes, kayaks, surfboards, and bike rides. They hosted many gatherings of family and friends. Sally was also famous for her pies; apple, pumpkin, strawberry rhubarb and many other delicious deserts. She belonged to the book club and was an avid reader, loved people and was the first to sign up for an activity. Sally had a true commitment to family. Her major goal was to keep family ties and the family came first hosting many family parties, whether at Rose Street or their camp. Family and friends all have many fond memories of them.

Sally’s last place of employment was the SUNY Cobleskill College Bookstore where she worked for 20 plus years. Before that she was an active ski patrol member at Scotch Valley where she skied with her long time friend, Dottie Creasy. They both skied into their 80’s. Sally and husband Fred were members of the National Ski Patrol and skied at many areas on patrol.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Frederic (Fred) Bennett on March 20, 2000. She is also predeceased by her parents, Fred R. Brooks Sr and Frances Marie Brooks, brother John H. Brooks Sr., sisters Clara Holford, Fredine and her husband Robert F Cooke , Charlotte Roberts, and sister-in-law Alice Brooks. Also surviving is her daughter Sandra Emanuel of Cobleskill, NY and her son James Bennett and his wife Eileen of Hadley, NY, brother Fred R. Brooks Jr. of Vestal NY, sister -in -law Matilda Brooks of Wappingers Falls, NY, grandsons Justin Deming, who was her companion many times in her activities, Kirt Wetsell, granddaughter Caitlin(Kellen) Bongartz, granddaughter–in-law Maria Wetsell, great grandchildren Hannah Wetsell, William Wetsell , Caigla (Gabe) Zoda-Salzar, Cassie (Jay) Mascia, and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

There will be a private service at a later date. Sally will be buried with her husband Fred at Riverview Cemetery in Roscoe NY.

Donations may be made in her name to the Cobleskill Methodist Church, 109 Chapel Street, Cobleskill NY 12043 or Marathon for a Better Life P.O. Box 268 Warnerville, NY 12187.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.