Esther S. Bennett

Esther S. Bennett of Torrington, Connecticut, died at Valerie Manor, Torrington, on February 10, 2024. She was the wife of David R. Bennett.

        Born in Torrington on August 28, 1935, she was the daughter of John and Susan Skokan. She attended local schools, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College for Women in 1957, and received her Master of Arts degree from Central Connecticut State University in 1983. She was a teacher at Ann Antolini School in New Hartford from 1972 to 1995 and also taught at the South School in Torrington from 1957 to 1961. She was an active volunteer for several organizations in the area. A member of the former Calvary Baptist Church for 68 years, she served in many capacities, including chairman of the Board of Trustees, Treasurer of the Permanent Endowment Funds, choir member, and in various positions in the Sunday School. She was a member and former treasurer of Alpha Delta Kappa Mu Chapter, an international honorary organization of women educators, and a member of the Torrington Historical Society. She was accepted into membership of the First Congregational Church of Torrington in 2018. In earlier years, she was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, camp counselor, and assistant to the director at Camp Maria Pratt, as well as a member of the camp committee of the Northwestern Connecticut Girl Scout Council.

        In addition to her husband, David, she is survived by a daughter, Dana S. Bennett, and her husband, Masato Aoki, of Massachusetts; a son, Jonathan R. Bennett, and his wife, Carol, of Suffield, Connecticut; four grandchildren, Katherine and Jacob Aoki and Daniel and Sarah Bennett; and three nieces and their families.

        Funeral services will be held Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11:00a.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00a.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home.

        Memorial contributions in Esther’s memory may be made to First Congregational Church of Torrington, 835 Riverside Ave., Torrington, CT 06790 or to the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esther S. Bennett, please visit our floral store.