Obituary of Eleanor B. Bennett

Eleanor Bennett, 90, of Freehold passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Eleanor was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She lived there until moving to Hazlet in 1960 and then Middletown to raise her family. Eleanor, along with her husband Chester settled in the Silvermead Community, Freehold in 2003.

Eleanor was a secretary and then a stay-at-home mom. During the early years Eleanor was an active member of the Middletown Township school system. She volunteered for many events and helped plan school dances. After being a stay-at-home mom, Eleanor worked as an administrative assistant for Charles of the Ritz and then International Flavors and Fragrances from which she retired.

Eleanor was a fun-loving person. She had so much fun going to Atlantic City with her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed shopping with her favorite shopping buddy. Eleanor always enjoyed decorating her home and going to her favorite restaurant with friends and family. She was a talented crocheter and an avid reader who also listened to many audio books by her favorite authors. Eleanor loved music and dancing with her husband, Chester. Eleanor and Chet were spectacular dance partners, they were married for so many years that they danced as one. Also, anyone who knew Eleanor knew that she loved Chinese food and a good "Bronx-style" pastrami sandwich! And let's not forget, Eleanor loved sports. She's been a lifelong Yankees fan and could talk statistics and strategy with the best of them.

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, Chester Bennett; her daughter, Stephanie Bennett; and her sister, Cecelia Vaccaro. She is survived by her daughter, Tracey Clayton and husband, Steve of Freehold; her daughter, Patricia Bennett and her partner, David Tibbals of Sea Bright; her grandson, Stephen Bennett of Middletown; her granddaughter, Olivia Tack of Middletown; her brother, Martin Neff and his wife, Christina of Whiting; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition she would want mentioned that she was also very fond of her "grand-dogs", Sooner, Mazie and Charlotte.

A gathering of friends will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Eleanor's final resting place will be Brigadier General William C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, 38105, TN or the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724 or Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. For information, directions or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com .