Bernice Miller

Bennett

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Bernice Bennett was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She and her husband James W Bennett, elementary school sweethearts, were married at St. Lukes Episcopal Church during hurricane Edna in 1954.  There was no electricity nor running water at her parents' home in Springs during the hurricane where the reception took place but she commented it wasn't a problem because they still had their outhouse.   She loved the outdoors and when her children and grandchildren were young could be found hunting for turtles or  spring peepers, horseshoe crabs and other wildlife and loved spending time at the beach, on the boat or entertaining the neighborhood friends of her children,  a large number who always seemed to be gathered at her home for sleepovers in the Army troop tent pitched in the backyard.  She was an avid reader and could spend an entire day with her legs tucked up under her in her favorite chair with a book in hand. She loved to travel and did several cross country and Canadian Maritime trips with her husband Jim in their camper.  They also had a home in Naples Florida for several years where she took Spanish classes for years but admitted she never seemed to be able to say more than a few words.    She became a member of St. Lukes Episcopal church as a child and went on to become a church school teacher, lay minister and youth fellowship leader at St. Peters Chapel.  Thereafter, Bernice became a member of the Springs Presbyterian Church where she was an active participant in the prayer study group.    She loved to sing in church but admitted she was completely tone deaf, a condition that was confirmed by her children.  She especially loved the Christmas Eve candlelight service.  She was a master scallop opener and could be found opening in her father's and later her husband's scallop houses until the early morning hours.  Bernice and her husband were known for their  talks and presentations on the old Bonac way of life.  At one of her talks, one of the attendants told her he had been a resident of Springs for 60 years and wanted to know when he could claim himself to be a Bonacker to which Bernice replied, "Oh, you will never be a Bonacker".    She is an 11th generation Miller.   Bernice worked at Sag Harbor Industries as an administrative assistant until her first child was born and returned there after a 14 year hiatus to go on  to become the VP in charge of purchasing. She was a true career woman, smart and commanding for all of her 4' 11" stature and one of her biggest regrets was retiring.   She also worked for her husband's business Bennett Marine.   She is survived by her children Joan  Lyons (Patrick) and Glenn  Bennett (Pamela) as well as her granddaughters Kasey Giarro (Anthony), Jillian  Lyons Gil (Jon), Sarajean Bennett & Sadie Bennett as well as her long-time caregiver Corraine Mitchell-Traile.  Bernice donated her body to Stony Brook University for medical research purposes.