Cynthia Bennett

Born in Meaford, Ontario, on November 5, 1940, Cynthia died in Ottawa on October 22, 2017 of brain cancer. Daughter of Colin Emerson Bennett of Meaford and Mary Dorothy Tindale of Toronto. Cherished mother of Mary Fullerton (Bruce) of Toronto, Ian Watson (Sarah Harris) of Vancouver, and Fiona Jane Wood (Jeff) of Toronto. Dear sister of Laurie Bennett (Pat) of Meaford, and Mary Ellen Norwood (Bob) of Toronto. Cynthia adored her seven grandchildren, and she relished the chaos of Christmas at home with her extended family. Cynthia leaves her devoted husband, Denis, after 53 eventful years. Cynthia was the niece of well-known concert pianist Elsie Bennett of Toronto (1902-1992), and was her enthusiastic student until achieving her ARCT degree in piano performance with distinction in 1959. Blessed with perfect pitch and deep musicality, Cynthia filled her life with piano performance, and was an accomplished accompanist to many choirs. Cynthia was also a gifted singer, and was a member of the Ottawa Choral Society for many years until 2016. Elsie Bennett and her ancestors had roots at Pointe au Baril on Georgian Bay going back to the 1880s, and Elsie herself established a cottage there in the 1950s. As a girl, Cynthia spent her summers at Point au Baril, and for the remainder of her life never tired of spending summer sojourns there. Her family will treasure her heritage of the cottage for all the years that follow. While music was her life-long passion, Cynthia’s occupation was as an educator in secondary schools. Having graduated from Victoria College, Uof T in 1962, she went on to Ontario Teachers’ College and began her teaching career in 1963 at Saltfleet High School, Hamilton. She was for over 40 years aé� teacher of music, social studies, law, co-op education and business, never suffered burnout, was adored by her students, and retired from teaching at Gloucester High School in Ottawa only in 2012. Cynthia was extroverted in the extreme and poured herself into every place and activity that came her way. She loved springer spaniels and imbued in her children the same canine passion. Moving to the Yukon with Denis and family in 1979, she was a keen participant in Whitehorse’s music and social life until she and her family returned to Ottawa in 1983. She loved to travel with friends and family. In retirement Cynthia volunteered her time and energy generously, to her church, to the Ottawa Cancer Centre, and to the Elizabeth Fry Society. A celebration of Cynthia’s life will be held at Bells Corners United Church, Ottawa, on November 2, 2017, at 11:00 am, following the visitation beginning at the church at 9:30 am. Interment be will be in Meaford at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gord Downie Brain Cancer Research Fund, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Meaford Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice, in memory of Cynthia.