Obituary of Bertha G. Benoit
Bertha G. Benoit (Hopkins), 92, of Stonebridge Road, Woodstock, CT, joined her beloved husband, Albert (Ben) Benoit, in heaven on February 1st, 2018. She passed peacefully surrounded by family at Day Kimball Hospital.
The daughter of Joseph and Florence Hopkins, Bertha grew up at Maple View Farm on Hopkins Road in Woodstock with her 10 brothers and sisters.
After marriage, Bertha and Ben moved to Putnam, CT, where their three children were raised – Mary, Susan and Junior (Albert Jr). Bertha was a country girl at heart and dreamed of returning to Woodstock. She went to work in a factory after her third child was born and helped save to buy her dream house in the country. Their house was purchased in 1964 and she remained there for the past 54 years. She and Ben took immense pride in their home, and spent countless hours making it beautiful inside and out.
Bertha dedicated her life to caring for family. She cared for her children and grandchildren when they were young and later in life cared for her mother, siblings and husband. Absolutely nothing was more important to her than family.
Bertha loved to travel. She and Ben traveled extensively to see many of the Natural Wonders of this country including Hawaii. Her love for country music also brought her and Ben to Nashville and Branson.
She enjoyed time with family most of all, was a superb baker – made the most delicious apple and strawberry rhubarb pies. She was an excellent teacher, a steadfast advocate and quite simply, the glue that held her family together. Her talents were limitless – she could sew an outfit with great skill and crocheted and knitted many beautiful Afghans, sometimes for family, a friend or a person in need. She was an avid reader and sports fan – Boston Red Sox and UConn women’s basketball were two of her favorite teams. She also enjoyed painting, gardening, cooking, canning, feeding the winter birds, providing nests for the spring birds, word puzzles and conversation.
Surviving family members include her children, Mary (Benoit) Kennett and her husband Gary of Woodstock, Susan (Benoit) Robinson and her husband Rusty of West Monroe, NY, Junior (Albert Jr.) Benoit and his wife Brenda of Woodstock; grandchildren Deborah, Bryan, Scott, Kathy and Jason. Great grandchildren Bradley, Craig, Amy, Ashlee, Joshua and Sara; and great-great grandchildren Neveah Zoie, Jaymen, Bentley, Isaiah and Arian. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years in 2011, and a grandson Robert in 1996. A brother Clarence Hopkins of North Grosvenordale also survives her.
Funeral Services were private. Arrangements by Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT Share a memory with her family at www.smithandwalkerfh.com