Obituary for Jo Bennett, Springdale, AR

Jo Ann Bennett, born Jo Ann Keenan on June 21,1931, in Sugar City, Colo., to parents Helen and Jess Keenan. Helen was a loving mother and grandmother, an avid reader and supporter of women's rights as was her grandmother, Myrtle Belle William who Jo described as, "a remarkable and strong woman long before feminism bloomed." Jess was a master mechanic and this mechanical skill led to his becoming manager of the parking meter manufacturing company, and founder of Keenan Tool and Die, which eventually became PACE Aluminum Die Casting, all in Harrison, AR where the family moved in 1945. There, Jo attended Jr. High School and Harrison High School where she was named Senior Class President. During those years Jo enjoyed a regular income as a sign painter. After graduation she attended the University of Denver School of Interior Design. She graduated from the University of Arkansas (UAF) with a B.A. majoring in Art and Sociology (1953) and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa academic honors society. Later she graduated from the University of Indiana with a master's degree in Library Science.In 1951, she moved to Fayetteville, Ark., and on February 25 married James R. (Dick) Bennett in Bentonville, Ark., at the home of Dick's grandparents, Marshall and Emma Bennett. Together, they had two children, John Volney and Michelle Katherine.Throughout her life, Jo was an avid learner. During her career as the Springdale High School Librarian for years, she enjoyed helping students do research for class assignments. She also sponsored the Student Librarians Club and chaperoned their trips to state library conventions. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Jo was also a loyal member of the Democratic party. Following her retirement from Springdale High School, she was a regular member of Senior Democrats. For many years she read the daily newspaper closely, keeping clippings and compiling a database with over 500 annotated entries on subjects such as campaign finance, corporate fraud, and the environment.Jo also had a vast array of hobbies. She loved architecture and during her time in Fayetteville, she designed and oversaw the building of three homes, two from scratch, the third a reconstruction of a church, each distinctly different. She enjoyed maintaining these buildings and their landscaping. She had a love of nature passed down from her mother Helen. She once kept a wasp alive in her home throughout the winter by putting honey on flowers. She refused to kill creatures in her house and would always catch and release. One of her greatest lifelong passions was her love of snow skiing. For 40 years she drove, flew, and bussed to Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, alone, with family, friends, and friends of her children. Her son John and daughter Michelle became accomplished skiers as well. At 70 she signed up for a downhill competition and won first place in her age group. Jo also had a deep love for traveling. As newlyweds, Jo and Dick traveled Europe on a Vespa motor scooter. They took extended trips for Dick's Fulbright teaching and research in both Yugoslavia and France with their children. She, her daughter Michelle and granddaughter Sarah also took a month-long trip to Europe one summer as a gift from her brother Jim. She also enjoyed playing bridge which she continued even after turning 90.Lastly, one of Jo's proudest accomplishments was her decision to get sober which she maintained for over 30 years and was a sponsor for many going through AA. Jo is preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry and Jim and her son, John.She is survived by her former husband and close friend, Dick Bennett, their daughter Michelle Snyder (Pat), her granddaughter Sarah Riffle (Steven), and her great-granddaughter Grace and great-grandsons, twins, Beau and Bennett. She is also survived by her Keenan family nieces Sarah and Jo Helen and nephew James; and her Bennett family Joe and Mary Jean Bennett and their children: Tony, Terri Jo, and Barbara.We'll all miss her vivacious spirit and commitment to progressing women's rights. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the League of Women Voters, the Democratic Party of Arkansas or the Humane Society for Animals, Inc. (NWA Humane Society)

Published January 21, 2023

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