Helen Anna “Babe” Kaplan Bennett, widow of Harry H. Bennett, a former senior vice president of the Arthur Rubloff Co., and beloved mother of William and David, died Thursday, February 2, at the Robison Jewish Home in Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Bennett was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1911, the youngest child of the Rabbi Jacob H. Kaplan and Sara Dumes, both of Vitebsk, Lithuania. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1932 and taught elementary school for several years in Chicago. Mrs. Bennett was involved in philanthropic work throughout her life and actively supported numerous Jewish causes and organizations. She was fond of the theatre, literature and music, and took an active interest in national and international politics until the time of her death. She is survived by her two sons, Dr. William M. Bennett of LaCenter, Washington, and Artist and Musician David Bennett of Munich, Germany; her grandchildren, Andrew and Nancy Bennett, Grant and Robyn Hughes, and Gray Hughes of Portland, Oregon, and Jean and Darryl McKeague of Kea’au, Hawaii. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Hokulani, Malama and Ikaika McKeague of Kea’au, Hawaii, and Molly Bennett and Alexandra Hughes of Portland, Oregon. At her request there will be no funeral or eulogy, but Kaddish will be said at a graveside service at the Rosemont Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions should be sent to Congregation Neveh Shalom, Library Fund, 2900 Peaceful Lane, Portland, OR 97201. For information: The Piser Chapel, 773-561-4740
