Andrea L (Gardner) Bennett

Andrea L. Bennett, age 63, of 65 Columbus Ave. Pittsfield, died Monday, Aug. 27th after a lengthy illness. She was born May 15, 1955, the daughter of the late Edward Gardner and Lillian Matthews. She was a 1973 graduate of Springfield Classical High School and nearly completed her degree at UMass, Amherst, maintaining a Magna Cum Laude grade point average. Andrea operated an elderly care home with her mother in San Diego for many years, returning  in 1997 to make her home again here in Pittsfield. She continued to be a presence in elderly care despite the challenges of her own illness.

She was a member of Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church,  where she enjoyed singing with the choir many years ago. A kind, generous and loving person, who opened her heart and home to many throughout the years. She found everyone she met to be interesting and engaging, and always greeted them with a smile despite her physical pain. 

Very family oriented, she was most proud of her children and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was also a fighter who overcame so much in her life, and she continued to fight until her final days.

Through it all, she appreciated everything that was done for her and on her behalf.

Andrea and her husband, Joseph Bennett celebrated 45 years together. In addition to her husband,  she is survived by her 2 sons, Joseph E. Bennett and his wife, Ronnica, of Pittsfield; Christopher A. Bennett and his wife, Jennifer, of Pittsfield; her step-daughter, Donna Walker of Greensboro, N.C.; her God-so, Jacob McBride; her brother, Richard Mayes of Pittsfield; her 2 sisters, Yvonne and Denise Matthews, both of San Diego; and her beloved grandchildren, Ciana Bennett, Jayden Bennett, Jayvian Bennett, and Christopher A. Bennett, Jr.

A “celebration of life” ceremony will be held SATURDAY afternoon at 2:00 pm at the Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church with Minister, Warren C. Dews, officiating.