Kathleen Ann Bennett Newman

Durham – Kathleen Ann Bennett Newman, age 85, courageously opted for treatment for a challenging cancer so that she could have more time with her family.  About three months after making that decision, she entered eternal rest at home on May 22, 2024. She was born in New York on October 29, 1938, to the late Catherine and Francis Bennett.

Kathy was raised in New Hyde Park, Long Island, New York.  She and her sisters enjoyed spending summers at the family cottage in Riverhead.  Kathy attended the University of Kentucky, and while home on a break, met Bob.  They dated, became engaged on St. Valentine’s Day 1961, and married that November.   

Kathy and Bob moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1965.  There they started raising their family and formed great friendships.  Bexley cocktail parties and July 4 picnics are treasured memories.  She made sure her children had opportunities to explore their various interests:   scouting, tennis, football, cheerleading, track, baton, dance, guitar, t-ball, soccer – if the kids wanted to try it, Kathy made it happen. 

Bob’s work moved the family to The Woodlands, Texas, in 1983 and then to Durham, North Carolina in 1985.  It was here in Durham that Kathy enjoyed a career as a merchandising trainer for American Greetings, perfected her tennis and bridge skills, and expanded her soccer knowledge.  There was a need, so she volunteered to manage Kyle’s soccer team (the Durham/Chapel Hill Strikers, now Triangle United).  Kathy always said “yes” to spending time with her granddaughter, including performing as a party parent for several seasons alongside Alexandra in Triangle Youth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”

 Kathy found joy in charitable, social, and competitive activities.  In addition to a lifetime of active participation in the Church, Kathy enlisted her daughters to join her in preparing blankets for hospitalized children for the Orange-Durham-Chatham Chapter of Project Linus. Beginning as a social tennis player in 1971, she concluded her tennis career in the fall of 2023, playing in the 55 and older category.  In 2018, her team won the state championships and traveled to nationals.   After a social start, Kathy became a (very) competitive bridge player, achieving the rank of Gold Life Master from The American Contract Bridge League in April 2019.  Traveling to tournaments, playing online, graciously mentoring other players, and winning points were great joys.  Over these many years, she especially held dear the friendships of all her bridge and tennis buddies.

Kathy is survived by Bob, her husband of 62 years; her children Susanne (Jim Wilson), Rob (Marianne), Leslie (Mike Poole), and Kyle; her granddaughter, Alexandra Lankenau; her sisters Betty Alec (Barry) and Barbara Bennett; and her niece and nephews, Barb McKinney, Tom Alec, John Alec, and Jason Bennett. 

Visitation with family and friends will be held Thursday, May 30, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, North Carolina.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 31, at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 810 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham, North Carolina. 

If you wish, flowers or memorial donations to PanCan.org, ProjectLinus.org (monetary or knit a blanket), or a charity dear to you will all be appreciated by the family. 

The Newman family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.