Kathleen Jean Bennett

On December 3, 2016, our treasured mother, Nana, wife, sister and friend, Kathleen Jean Bennett, age 75, unexpectedly passed away in Medford, Oregon, after complications from surgery to repair a broken leg. Kathleen was one of five children born in Brooklyn, New York, to John and Margaret Callahan on February 26, 1941. She attended Catholic schools in Brooklyn and graduated from Saint Brennen High School in 1960. Kathleen always shared fond memories of time spent at the family cabin in upstate New York as a child. Following high school, Kathleen worked in advertising and finances on Madison Avenue in New York City. On April 27, 1963, Kathleen married Gerard MacLachlan, and together, they had two daughters, MaryAnne MacLachlan and Susan (MacLachlan) Cervelli. Following the passing of Gerard in October of 1976, Kathleen packed up her daughters for a Christmas trip to Northern California to visit her favorite little brother, James (Jim) Callahan. Kathleen fell in love with the Scott Valley area, and four months later, in April of 1977, moved herself and her daughters across the United States to Etna, California, to start a new life; a move she never regretted. In Scott Valley, she instantly made lifelong friends and met her future husband, Richard (Rick) Bennett, in the summer of 1980. They were married on January 2, 1984, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Jones, California. During the early 1980’s, Kathleen became co-owner of the Fort Club Restaurant and Bar. Many wild stories (most of them true!) and memories were made during this business venture. After the sale of the Fort Club, Kathleen spent two years driving school bus for Etna High School before taking a job at the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher in 1986. She was recognized as Siskiyou County Support Person of the Year in 1995. Kathleen was proud of and loved her job, and was promoted to Dispatch Manager, a position she held until her retirement from the Sheriff’s Department in 2005. Over the years, Kathleen served on the Etna Cemetery Board, was a 4-H leader and a member of the Catholic churches in Etna and Fort Jones, and represented the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department statewide on telecommunication committees and organizations. She was a heck of a shot with a shotgun, and always outshot her husband at skeet. Following her retirement, Kathleen settled into enjoying hobbies including quilting, quilting groups and retreats, and reading. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren, who were the sparkle in her eye and the light of her life. Kathleen and Rick moved from Etna to Lake Shastina in December of 2013 to be closer to her grandchildren, daughter Susan and her favorite son-in-law, Monty Cervelli. She loved her new home and took great joy in being able to see her family each day and attend sporting, school and 4-H events for the grandkids. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Callahan, her sister, Irene Hetterich, and her brother, Jack Callahan. Kathleen will be forever missed by her husband and partner of nearly 37 years, Richard Bennett; her oldest sister, Margaret (Peggy) Hetterich; her youngest brother and sister-in-law, James (Jim) and Ann Marie Callahan; her daughter, MaryAnne MacLachlan; her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Monty Cervelli; her four cherished grandchildren, Kathleen (Katie) Anne Rogers, and Kelcie, Madysson and Colton Cervelli; and her best friend of 40 years, Kathy Durett, of Etna. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family who reside in the New York area. Kathleen, best known as “Nana,” will be forever missed and her memory treasured. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service to be held at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka, California, on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, all are invited to a gathering at the home of Susan and Monty Cervelli in Lake Shastina, California. Interment will occur at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in Kathleen’s memory may be made to the Rescue Ranch, 2216 East Oberlin Road, Yreka, California 96097.

Kathleen Jean Bennett

February 26, 1941 - December 3, 2016