Justine Levy Bennett

March 3, 1924 - July 27, 2010

Born at home to Dr. M. D. Levy, Sr., and Sara Weil Levy, on March 3, 1924, in Houston, Texas, Justine lived in Houston until 1982, at which time she and her retired husband, Roy Penn Bennett, Jr., moved to Colorado Springs.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had many passions: dance, art, food, reading, sports and travel. In those areas, ballet, Paris, chocolate and baseball were her favorites. Justine kept detailed written accounts of her travels, as well as a remarkably long lifelist of books she read. She was appreciated by all who met her for her vivacious and friendly spirit. Justine was also an avid letter writer who celebrated an impressive community of birthdays throughout the year and whose faithful correspondance sustained friendships around the world.

As a dedicated volunteer, Justine made significant contributions to organizations such as Girl Scouts; Houston Taping for the Blind; and the Colorado Springs Dance Theater and Fine Arts Center. Following the end of a near decade of service at Taping For the Blind in Houston, a colleague wrote "I have never known a person for whom I felt more admiration, respect, and affection than you. I watched as you went about, doing what needed doing, and claiming no credit."

She is survived by sisters Melanie Levy Malewitz (Austin) and Sara Jo Robbins (Houston); children: Sarah Hummingbird (San Francisco), Roy Bennett (Palo Alto), Dirk Bennett (Los Altos, CA), and John Bennett and daughter-in-law Jan Greenfield Bennett (Denver); Grandchildren: Damien Raffa of San Francisco, Melissa Bennett Rapp of Denver, and Rebecca Bennett of Chicago; Great-grandchildren: Aria Raffa; and Eli and Emma Rapp.

In lieu of flowers contributions are invited to any of the above mentioned organizations for which Justine volunteered during her lifetime, or to Doctors Without Borders or Planned Parenthood.

If you have memories and/or photos of Justine to share, please send an email to justinelb@earthlink.net

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