Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Sheila Elizabeth Rossworn Bennitt, age 89, passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida on August 16, 2024, at 2:07 am, with her daughter Deirdre by her side.
Sheila was born on April 8, 1935 in New York, New York to John A. and Gertrude D. Rossworn. She was the oldest of three daughters.
Sheila grew up in Sands Point, Port Washington, Long Island. She attended Katharine Gibbs College in New York City and graduated top of her class. Typing over 100 words a minute, she was immediately hired by the president of the Long Island railroad as his personal secretary, a job she loved.
At age twenty Sheila met William Thomas Hand II and they married in August of 1956. Together they had two children, Deirdre Hand and William Thomas Hand III. Married eighteen years and then divorced, Sheila would joke that she “ran away from home” at age forty when she moved to California to begin a real estate career. She became the top-selling agent in her company. “I out-sold all the men”, she would say, with a twinkle in her eye.
It was here, in 1979, that Sheila met the true love of her life, Richard Liaunet Bennitt. They were married in Hawaii and welcomed home by dear friends Lynn and Marshall Sherwood, who threw them a very special reception to celebrate their marriage. For the next twenty-five years they worked side by side as real estate brokers in Los Angeles, CA, Austin, TX and Asheville, NC. They retired in 2005 to the small college town of Davidson, North Carolina. Ten years later they moved to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and finally to the beautiful city of Vero Beach, where they spent their remaining years together in the warm sunshine.
Sheila and Richard shared forty-four beautiful years together. They celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary this past February 14th, two weeks before Richard’s passing. It was a day celebrated with joy, a milestone that meant so much to both of them.
After Richard passed, their sweet little papillon, Willow Rose, was Sheila’s constant companion. With Willow Rose always at her feet, Sheila spent many happy hours playing cards with family friend Anita Rimkus. Sheila was competitive and sharp up to their very last game a just one week before her final day on earth. Oh how she loved to play and loved even more when she won. So Sheila!
Describing Sheila, where to begin… Sheila was an amazingly talented woman. She was an artist who had her own art gallery in Port Washington, NY for many years and sold over 500 paintings, from East Hampton, New York to Los Angeles, California. She was also a dress designer who made beautiful one-of-a-kind clothes that were featured in a magazine in Los Angeles. Sheila was smart as a whip with a wonderful sense of humor; she was also quite beautiful, very stylish and very avant guard. Sheila’s homes were decorated to perfection, always using color boldly! As a perfectionist she always liked everything she did to be, in her words, “tickity-boo”, meaning in perfect order. She could set a table for a dinner party like no one else and her parties were always great fun! Anyone who has been lucky enough to watch her weave her magic while decorating a Christmas tree can tell you that none of the Christmas trees in the windows on 5th
Avenue could hold a candle to hers!
Sheila is predeceased by both her parents, her sister Patrica Ann Kellogg, her former husband William T. Hand and her husband Richard L. Bennitt.
She is survived by her beloved sister Kathleen Thomas, her daughter Deirdre J. McLoive, son-in-law Curtis L. Embree, son William T. Hand Ill with daughter-in-law Sophia T. Hand and four daughters, Natasha, Ashley, Katya and Isabella; two great grandsons-in-law, three great grandsons and nephews – John, Patrick and Peter Kellogg, and Christopher and Cullen Thomas – and finally, after six boys in the family, twin nieces Taliesin and Gillian Thomas came into her life. She cherished them all so very much. In her final days, the love that poured out to her from both family and friends was a beautiful thing to witness and a lovely testament to who she was. Rest in peace our dear Sheila, you will be missed, but as her sister Kathy said to her last day, “We will see you again on the other side”. In the meantime go be with Richard and Gergie and Papa and your sister Patty.
Our caring professionals are here to assist you and your family during this difficult time. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to assist in immediate arrangements or pre-arrangements.
Eileen Trojanowski
August 16, 2024, 6:56 pm
A beautiful life well lived. My prayers are with her family now to continue on the magnificent path that Shelia began for them. Remember there is no sadness in the celebration of a life lived to its fullest and in its entirety
Sherry Simmons
August 16, 2024, 7:35 pm
Lovely woman. Always a smile on her face. Prayers for family
Anita Rimkus
August 16, 2024, 9:48 pm
I wish I’d had more time to spend with Sheila ( and Richard). They were a special couple, so in love! Meeting someone in their “golden” years gives one a new perspective on life. I am so grateful for their shared wisdom, hope & grace despite infirmities that come with age. Even after Richard passed, Sheila knew that love never ends and lived the remainder of her days in joy making the most of every day. I treasured our time together but know she is enjoying life in perfect unison with those loved ones who have gone before. Rest in peace, dear Sheila ❤️
Diane Zadnoff
August 17, 2024, 8:24 pm
Rest in Peace Sheila! You were beautiful inside and out, always with a smile on your face, always willing to share your experiences with others. Sheila will be forever remembered for her warmth, kindness and beautiful legacy she leaves behind. May your family find comfort in the love and support of your family and many friends. . .
Terry Hacob
August 18, 2024, 7:12 am
Sheila you will be so missed. You always brighten the room with your fashion, sparkling eyes and always playful, spunky attitude. You brought so much joy to my parents during all the celebrations you shared with your amazing daughter Deirdre. Keep smiling in the next dimension. Look over your girl who was si devoted to you. Love and miss you already. Terry
Taliesin Thomas
August 18, 2024, 1:30 pm
THAT SHEILA ! A CLASS ACT !
SUCH A LADY AND THE LOVELIEST AUNT !
CHARMING, CREATIVE, SMART, AND SO BEAUTIFUL ~
WE CHERISH YOU FOREVER AND BEYOND !
BLESS YOUR PATH !
TT
CT
August 18, 2024, 2:19 pm
Few words can encapsulate the essence of a life and perhaps only the individual knows their own true soul. I had the fortune to have this amazing and powerful spirit in my life and her effect and influence lasts to this day. I loved and appreciated her in our time together. I will certainly continue our conversation. Blaze on good, Aunt Sheila, your journey is paved with love!
Sharon Maynard
August 18, 2024, 4:54 pm
My heart goes out to all of you who knew and loved Sheila as I did. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sheila was a woman of many talents who excelled at whatever she did. Even when she was suffering physically, she still managed to swim in the ocean and take part in events and gatherings. She was always beautiful and impeccably dressed. She had so much wisdom to share from her many life experiences. Sheila was a special woman and I will miss her telephone conversations of late. She was witty right up until the end of her life. Thank you, Sheila, for your presence in my life, and I look forward to seeing you in our forever home with our Lord Jesus. ❤️
Gillian Thomas
August 18, 2024, 8:11 pm
Beloved Aunt Sheila! I will forever cherish our shared memories as a family. All the many Christmas holidays you spent at our home, all the incredible outfits you sewed by hand for my twin sister and I, your incredible and full laughter that you shared so willingly in every moment that I ever spent with you. We honor your beautiful life and your creative and strong spirit! We love you forever dearest Sheila! Shine on!
Marshall and Lynn Sherwood
August 18, 2024, 10:17 pm
August 18, 2024. 3:00 PM
May the precious memories of a beautiful life bring comfort and peace to all.
Forever Remembered
Forever Loved
Bobbi O’Connor
August 19, 2024, 8:57 pm
Sheila and Richard were neighbors of mine but I really didn’t know them except to say hello. My passion was cooking but had no one to cook for. One day when I was speaking to God as I daily do I told him that I needed a purpose. He suggested that I go down and visit with Richard and Sheila. Sheila told me that they were having Hospice come several days a week for extra care. I asked if they would mind if I cooked dinner for them several days a week. Well as you can imagine she kept insisting that they would pay me. I told them that God had given me this job and there was no way that they could pay
Over the months we had so many wonderful visits and conversations. She was wonderful at listening and giving great advice. Sheila was devastated when Richard passed but was also content that he went first. She was such a beautiful Lady with a soul to match. I miss her every day and was Blessed to have her in my life ❤️
Nancy Marino
August 20, 2024, 5:19 am
Dear Deirdre,
My warmest condolences to you and your family. I didn’t know Sheila well but I know she thought the world of you! You took such wonderful care of her through good times and bad, to her very last breath – you were an amazing daughter. And you had such a special mom, what a talented lady she was! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sheila and Richard, may you rest in peace and love.
Missy Hubbard
August 20, 2024, 11:38 am
Sheila will be so missed but, what a legacy of how to live she and Richard left behind. She saw me through some of the toughest times in my life and I considered her my second Mom with her words of wisdom. May she live on in all our hearts. God bless this beautiful soul. At peace knowing she is with Richard now. Kudos to daughter Deirdre seeing them through all these years.
All my love and admiration for her friendship and love through the years.
Love,
Missy
Lia Heisig
August 21, 2024, 6:32 pm
What a remarkable lady, who lived such a remarkable life!! I never met anyone more elegant in every aspect of herself – the way she reasoned, the way she created, the way she spoke, the way she viewed life, and the way she and Richard loved each other. I could write a book about the long conversations we had. Both, Sheila and Richard were my support rock at a time in my life when I was so weak and defeated. They both gave me hope and motivation. They inspired me by simply witnessing them being themselves. As I read her bio, I became so much more motivated and determined to live my life as intensely pure as she did. Dear Sheila and Richard truly touched my life in so many ways. I am beyond grateful to have met them and spent time with them. I will love them, remember them, and forever cherish their memory. Rest in Peace dear Sheila & Richard!!
Patrina nazziola
August 22, 2024, 5:33 pm
Very sad day when our beautiful Sheila
Passed. I just loved her spirit and the beautiful love she shared with Richard. We would attend exercise classes together and boy did we share many giggles. I felt privileged to have know them and will reflect on the times we shared. Rest in peace dear heart I just loved you!❤️
Gary Burfoot
August 25, 2024, 2:07 am
I first met Sheila in October of 1986 at her home in Marina del Rey, California. I remember it well because I was at her house to watch the Red Sox’s epic collapse in the World Series against the Mets. Being around Sheila (and Richard) lessened the pain a little bit. Sheila was always warm and welcoming, and she also always had a smile on her face. I had the good fortune to see her a number of times in her final year, and the smile was always there. Wherever she may be right now, I have no doubt she’s smiling still.
Rest in peace dear Sheila.
Katelin Hoffman
August 26, 2024, 11:43 pm
Sheila was an amazing woman. She may not have been the greatest mother but her art and style made a big enough impression for Deidre to discover her own gifts. Both can and could make things beautiful. I will miss talking with you in messenger and playing our little games. Thank you so much for your greatest creation of all, my sister, Deirdre. Be seeing you. Try not to rearrange Heaven too much. I don’t think it will be up for sale in the near future.
Laurie DeVeau
August 28, 2024, 7:57 pm
It is nice to be beautiful, but even better is a great wit, and Sheila, my good friend Deirdre’s mother, had quite the zingy wit.
And yes, she was quite pretty right up to the end of her long life. What a lucky lady. But luckiest of all for her, however, was the devoted daughter who lovingly cared for her and Richard for several years. Sheila loved to swim, so how wonderful for her final goodbye to be on the beach. Sheila, I’ll be there in purple, your favorite color, to see you off!
Amber
August 29, 2024, 1:52 pm
Dear Sheila,
I will cherish the sweet moments I had with you. You are so dear to me and brought such joy in my life. Thank you for being a friend, and now my angel. Until we meet again sweet lady…
Love forever,
Amber
BarbarA Magnall
August 29, 2024, 10:15 pm
We had the privilege and pleasure of knowing SheilA and Richard when the moved to Davidson. Everything written above was what we were lucky enough to witness during our time together. We feel blessed to have known them both.
We always joked at using the A at the end of our names as A stood for Attitude.
Rest in perfect peace dear friend.
Elizabeth Braxton
August 30, 2024, 1:38 pm
Deirdre, So sorry for your loss. I did not know how talented your mother was. No wonder you are so good at remodeling homes.
Your mom had the most beautiful smile. Glad I got to meet her so long ago in Maggie.
God Bless
Richard Reinemann
September 13, 2024, 3:09 pm
I met Sheila and Richard living in Vista Royale. It was truly special to see the love and happiness they had for each other. It was always enjoyable having a conversation with Sheila as she shared her past experiences, was very articulate, had a quick mind, and a great wit. She had a style that was classy and elegant right to the final days of her life. Thank you, Sheila, for the nice memories. God Bless you and Richard together again.
Chris Walton
September 15, 2024, 8:37 pm
Sheila was someone who just seemed better each time you met her. There was always another layer of her caring about you, and how she could listen and help, and some other talent she had as well. I wish I’d known her better than the few times we met. Wishing happiness to the family – Chris Walton