Lorraine Bennett passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at home in Murray, Utah, surrounded by her loving family.
Born May 7, 1962, in Salt Lake City, the youngest child of Evelyn Baker and Grant Back, Lorraine spent her early childhood in Pocatello, Idaho. At the age of 11, she moved with her family to Cedar City, Utah, where she attended local schools, graduating from Cedar High School in 1980. She was named a Sterling Scholar in Home Economics.
She attended the University of Utah for one term; then transferred to Southern Utah State College, now Southern Utah University. She earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in Sociology and Social Work in 1987, the first in her family to achieve that honor. She worked her way through school in the Registrar's Office at SUSC and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio, Texas, from August 1984 through February 1986.
As an intern for Senator Jake Garn in Washington, D.C., Lorraine met John Foster Bennett, who worked in the office of Senator Orrin Hatch, when she and her roommate hitched a ride to the temple with John and his roommate. John and Lorraine were married on July 16, 1988, in the St. George, Utah, Temple.
Returning to Washington, Lorraine worked in the Employee Assistance Program of the Association of Flight Attendants. The couple moved to Salt Lake City in March of 1992, where Lorraine continued work in employee assistance, notably for Aetna Insurance. From 1996 to 2000, she also worked in the Utah office of Congressman Merrill Cook.
After the birth of twins, Grace Ann and John Grant, on June 17, 2000, Lorraine elected to devote herself to family, in which she found great joy.
Lorraine enjoyed reading, movies, and sharing ideas with those around her. She possessed a bright and curious mind and found a creative outlet in crafting, sewing, embroidery, knitting, and felting. Loved ones cherish her felted animals, embroidered towels, and other handmade treasures.
She was a faithful member of the LDS Church, taught Relief Society and Young Women, served in the ward Primary presidency, and endured to the end.
Sadly, pain was a constant presence in Lorraine's life. Diagnosed with interstitial cystitis shortly after the birth of her children, she also battled ovarian cancer for six years, with a brief but welcome remission from late 2011 through May of 2014. Though it sapped her strength and took her life, cancer could not steal her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, nor her hopeful, optimistic spirit, which continues to inspire her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband John F. Bennett; daughter Grace Bennett; son John G. Bennett; mother Evelyn Back; sisters Phyllis (Kurt) Sawyer and Kathy Bullock; brother Ken (Susan) Back; sisters-in-law Heather Bennett (Kevin Hanson) and Shaz Bennett (Jean-Pierre Caner); brothers-in-law Brandon Bennett (Virginia Vierra), Marc (Shelley) Bennett, and Craig (Eden) Bennett; and 21 nieces and nephews.
Her father Grant Back; nephews Michael Bullock and Brett Sawyer; and parents-in-law John H. and Moana Bennett preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 18, at noon, in the Little Cottonwood Fifth Ward Building, 6350 South Rodeo Lane, Murray, Utah, 84121. Friends and family may call on Friday evening, 6:00‚8:00 p.m., at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City or 11:00‚11:45 a.m. at the chapel just prior to the services. Burial at Larkin Sunset Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Lorraine's name to the cancer charity of your choice.
