Mary Madeleine Bennett (née Kelly), aged 81 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021, after a nine-month battle with ALS. She was born on June 14th, 1940, to PJ and Elizabeth Kelly (née O’Connor) of the Hawthorn, Portarlington, Ireland.  Her childhood was spent in Portarlington.  She was educated at the Dominican College Eccles Street Dublin. She qualified as a nurse at the Mater Hospital Dublin, and then worked as a midwife helping to bring many people into this world. Subsequently, she moved to Saskatoon, Canada, in 1967, where she married her beloved husband, Brian Richard Bennett. Together they raised four children: Fiona, Eoin, Tara, and Darra.

Madeleine was a woman of strong character. Not only did she raise four children and run a household, but she also worked full time with her husband Brian to make sure her family was looked after. She would work, make dinner, and then take the kids to their events with passion and grace. She loved to watch her children grow.  Madeleines’ greatest passion was the wellbeing of her friends and family. She loved to have a cup of tea with family and friends as often as possible to make sure they were doing well. She would give sound advice, but more importantly was able to listen. She was always available to help raise her grandchildren, often looking after them while their parents worked. One of her favourite things to do was to arrive unannounced to bring her grandchildren spending money just before they left to go on vacation, resulting in big smiles all around.  She brought happiness with her whenever she arrived.   She would also return to Ireland and visit her many friends and relatives with whom she had always maintained contact. Her ability to maintain relationships and keep people together was astounding.  

Madeleine excelled in sports while in school and maintained her love of sporting activities throughout her life. She was particularly fond of watching tennis and will have a special place for Rafael Nadal at her tea table in heaven!

Being a devout Catholic, Madeleine attended mass regularly and was mindful in her prayers for the wellbeing of family and friends. Madeleine made important times of the year special for her family.  The wafting smell of a stuffed roast chicken on Christmas Day and the excitement of receiving an Easter egg on Easter Sunday will forever be cherished.  

Madeleine is survived by her husband Brian; her children and their spouses Fiona and Artur, Eoin and Belinda, Tara and Mike, Darra, and Laura; her grandchildren Jack, Jenna, Connor, and Sloane; and her brothers James, PJ, and Frank. 

Please join us celebrating her life on Monday July 19th, 2021, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish. The address is 210 Haddow Close. Edmonton, located near Terwillegar Drive and 23rd avenue.  There will be a viewing at 10:AM (MST) and Mass will be from 11:00AM(MST)-12:00PM. A reception will follow the mass. The mass will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/zDy9zqUyKXs. As Madeleine was an avid supporter of Chalice, in lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the following link https://www.chalice.ca/donate.