Lilly I. Bennett

Lilly I. Bennett, age 94, of Vallejo, California, died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, July 9, 2023. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee Street, Vallejo, CA. Lilly was born in Łódź, Poland in 1929 to William and Irma Ruff. She lost her brother during World War II, and spent much of her teenage years held in Soviet prison camps for Polish civilians. She was released in 1947 and had her daughter, Jolanta, in 1949. She lived in Germany for many years, where she eventually met and married her late husband, Lt. Col. Gayle “Bill” Bennett. She came to the United States in 1962 and they eventually settled in Vallejo after Bill’s retirement from the US Air Force in the late 1960’s, so he could teach at Solano Community College. Together, they also owned and operated Continental American Antiques on Marin Street in downtown Vallejo for many years. After closing the antique shop, they started Lilly Bennett Estate and Moving Sales together and became accredited members of the International Society of Appraisers. She went on to become a real estate agent in the 1990’s, opening her own office, Lilly Bennett Real Estate & Associates in the early 2000s. After starting classes in the 1970’s, she also returned to school later in life and earned her Associate of Arts degree in German with highest honors from Solano Community College in 2009 at the age of 80, one of her proudest accomplishments. Throughout her life she was an active member of her community, involved in the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society, Christian Help Center, Rotary and Elks clubs. Lilly is survived by her stepdaughter Mary Jane, her son-in-law, Marek, her three grandchildren, Michael, Amanda, and Alexandra (Nikki), and her six great grandchildren. She was a good friend and loving grandmother and her tenacity, generosity, and sense of humor will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the North Bay, 1121 Sonoma Boulevard, Vallejo, CA 94590 (www.hsnb.org) or Rotary International – Vallejo Chapter, PO Box 4026, Vallejo, CA 94590. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo, (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com

Lilly I. Bennett

March 1, 1929 - July 9, 2023