Jamie Marie Bennett
Sep 13, 1945 -
Nov 26, 2020
Jamie was born on Sept. 13, 1945, in Binghamton, N.Y., to James and Frances Lynch. She was a Navy brat who travelled the world with her parents as a child. She kept in touch with friends made during high school and attended several reunions over the years with classmates from Gitmo in Cuba, class of '63. Jamie eventually settled back in Jacksonville, Florida, where she was a real estate agent. This is how she met Michael, who worked in home construction. Jamie and Michael were married in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on Sept. 16, 1977, in a beautiful sunrise, oceanfront wedding. They eventually traveled North across the U.S. with their daughter Dana, stopping long enough for Jamie to give birth at home to their son Cody in Michael's hometown of Spokane, Wash. Did we mention she's a very tough lady?
Within a couple years the family was on the move again, driving up the Alcan Hwy to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1981, seeking new opportunities and adventure. Michael loved everything about Alaska; Jamie tolerated the long, cold winters because she loved Michael. Soon after his passing in 2013, she moved to Arizona to enjoy the sun and heat.
Many will remember Jamie as a very sharp and tenacious lady with a pinch of hippie and a smidge of gypsy. She was quick to share her beautiful smile and never met a stranger. She was a savvy business professional who enjoyed owning her pre-trial organization company for many years and eventually became a legal analyst for BP Exploration until her retirement in 2013. When not working, she loved to read, travel, and spend long weekends fishing and exploring with Michael on their boat in beautiful Prince William Sound. To say her life was an adventure is an understatement. She worked on oil spills all over the world; rode stallions like they were ponies; made intelligent, kind children who gave her beautiful grandchildren and loved her friends like family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Naval LCDR James Lynch; her mother, Francis; her husband, Michael; her brother, David Lynch; and her granddaughter, Lauren Marie.
She is survived by her son, Cody Bennett (Natasha) and grandchildren Zoe and Beo of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Dana Graham and grandson Garrett of Anchorage, Alaska; son, Jason (Torrie) and grandsons Jackson & Sammy all of South Carolina; and son, Sean Tucker of Florida; brother Dr. James Lynch (Fran) of Lexington, Ky.; sister-in law, Sheila Estes of Spokane, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Shriners or Crohn's and Colitis Foundation or your non-profit of choice in Jamie's name.
