Margaret “Marge” Ryan Bennett

Marge (Ryan) Bennett passed away on Oct. 6, 2010 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo. She was born on Sept. 5, 1939 in Columbia Falls to Anne and James Ryan. She attended school in Columbia Falls through her graduation in 1957. She then moved to California and joined the U.S. Navy.

While in the Navy, she met and married Jerry Bennett. Upon release from the service, she and Jerry settled in Los Angeles, Calif., where they where blessed with two children, Jacqueline and Michael. Marge continued to live in L.A. where she worked as a legal secretary until she retired in 2000.

Upon retirement, she decided to move to join her daughter, Jackie, and grand-daughter, Taylor in Missouri. Marge, Jackie and Jerry built a home and resided in Miller, Mo., until her death.

Throughout her life, she made numerous trips back “home” to Columbia Falls to visit her mother, Anne Thomas, sisters and brothers and former schoolmates. Marge enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her family, being a “reader” during church services in L.A., and going to swap meets. She was an avid book reader; and, in her last years, she had a very good time going to casinos and sitting down at a good game of poker. People at the table loved her friendliness, competitiveness and spirited personality.

Marge is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Rivera and granddaughter, Taylor Rivera, of Miller, Mo.; son, Michael and grandchildren, Miranda and Michael, of Los Angeles, Calif.; Jerry Bennett, of Miller, Mo.; her brothers, James Ryan of Columbia Falls, LeRoy Ryan of Oregon City, Ore., Patrick Ryan of Beaverton, Ore., and Gary Thomas of Morrison, Colo.; her sisters, Dorinne Schiffman of Tuscon, Ariz. and Andrea (Ryan) Halden of Columbia Falls; plus numerous nephews and nieces. She will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Anne I. Thomas; her father, James Ryan; her stepfather, Hubert Thomas; and her stepbrothers, Ronald, Richard and Bill Thomas.

Marge was cremated on Oct. 8, 2010 in Missouri. A memorial service will be held during the summer of 2011 when her remains will be interred with her mother’s in Columbia Falls.

Anyone who would like to attend this memorial can call either James Ryan at 892-1629 or Andrea Halden at 892-5223 to leave their telephone number or address for future notification as to the date and time of the interment once it has been decided upon.