Meriden - Barbara (Ross) Bennett, 57, of Meriden left this life on March 29, 2009 after a courageous ten year journey with breast cancer. She is now with the God she trusted and loved; the God who sustained her and gave her great joy and peace during this time. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3:5-6 She was the beloved wife and high school sweetheart of Richard W. Bennett whom she cherished as her husband for 38 years. Born on October 17, 1951 to the late Edward and Irene Ross she had been a resident of Meriden all her life. A 1969 graduate of Maloney High School, she was the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Dutch Point Credit Union in Wethersfield when she left in March 2002 due to her illness. She is most grateful to Dorothy J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Dutch Point Credit Union who was most generous and caring during that difficult time. Barbara loved shopping, time at the beach, reading, decorating, gardening, and getting together with friends. Besides her husband, Rich, Barbara is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shelby and Kris Bellemare and her precious grandsons, Luke and Andrew. She also leaves two sisters, Betsy Ticino of Meriden and Joan Welden of St. Pete's Beach, Florida, her extended family, her many extra special friends, and her wonderful church family at New Life Church who greatly supported and encouraged her through her cancer journey. The Tuesday morning Bible study was very special to her. Barbara wishes to thank Dr. Gary Tansino, the nurses at MidState CancerCare, her visiting nurse, Emily, and all her other doctors for their wonderful care and genuine concern. A Celebration of Barbara's life will be held at New Life Church, 262 Bee St., Meriden on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 7 pm. Her wish is to be cremated and no calling hours. The Beecher and Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden have been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara's memory to: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundatin, P.O.Box 224523, Dallas, TX 75222-4523. For more information about The Susan G. Komen Foundation, breast health, or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org.