Betty M. Bennett, 74, of Wyckoff, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on September 17, 1946 in New York City to Gertrude and Sidney Lieb. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Bennett, and her two daughters Carolyn Bennett Glauda (Joseph) and Whitney Steller (Daniel), as well as her four beloved grandchildren, Logan, Eli, Ryan, and Rose.
Betty and John opened Bennett Books in 1988 and soon expanded it to become New Jersey’s largest independent bookstore. When Bennett Books closed in 2007, Betty established Fieldstone Book Company, a mobile bookstore specializing in author events. She was active in the wider bookselling world as a board member for New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association.
She was passionate about seeing the world, and her favorite trips included vacations in Australia, Ireland, Italy, Canada, and France. She also traveled widely within the country and visited 45 of the 50 states. She took pictures of flowers everywhere she went and had an eye for capturing beauty with a camera lens. Her love for photography was only matched by her reluctance to be in front of the camera. Her children cajoled her into being the subject of at least a few snapshots so we could remember her joyful smile and wry humor.
Betty was a nurturing mother and was always eager to visit her grandchildren as much as possible. She was devoted to her hometown of Wyckoff, NJ and was a frequent visitor to the wildlife center. She also loved taking her grandchildren to the local playground, petting zoo, and firehouse. Her lifelong devotion to spirituality was unwavering and she was an active member of her church community.
A gathering for remembrance and connection will be held at Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff on Sunday, June 6, from 2pm-5pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of our passionate reader can be made to The Wyckoff Public Library.
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