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Michael G. Bennett 1951 - 2006 Mike Bennett, AIS class of 1969, passed away January 30, 2006, of renal cancer. February 6, 2006 A heartfelt service for Mike Bennett was held this morning (February 6th) at his church - Zion Baptist - here in Washington. Sue Lindahl, Tina Thuermer and I joined his family and many friends for a very moving celebration of Mike's life. Both his sister Debbie and brother Bill Jr. spoke about Mike, with Bill relating childhood stories that brought laughter and tears. Mrs. Bennett asked me to join several of Mike's friends to speak about him, which I deeply appreciated. Mike was a steadfast and constant friend to me. He was a great combination of "cool and smart" and so much more - funny, a brilliant drummer and musician, and with a keen eye about people. We were neighbors in Nizamuddin, which we roamed, and we spent a lot of time just being the teenagers we were. (I omitted mention of our occasional hell-raising - always instigated by others of course). Mike and I worked one block from one another in DC. We got together for lunch every now and then, or when mini-AIS dinners were put together. I'd sometimes hear"Murph" yelled across M Street, and we'd get caught up. When I ran into him last fall, he said he was sorry to miss the reunion but was travelling for his work at the time. He had a precise memory of people and events from our time at AIS - as if it were yesterday - and it says a lot about that time in our lives. Above all, I hope I emphasized that our little AIS delegation at Mike's service represented so many other hundreds of friends and classmates, who are far-flung and many who may be just receiving this terrible news. In that spirit, please send remembrances of Mike to Debbie and the Bennett family, and share them with our AIS community. Robin Murphy AIS class of 1970 Mike's obituary and a guest book signed by many AIS alumni, are in the Washington Post. February 3, 2006 Dear Friends and Family -- I would like to thank all of you who have sent expressions of sympathy, and to thank you also for getting the word out (and continuing to do so), on behalf of myself and my family. We are all holding up as well as can be expected -- it helps to know that Mike had so many people who loved him so well, and that we have the support of our friends to ease us through these days of sorrow. The notice of Mike's death is in the Washington Post on Saturday, February 4. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Mike's name (Michael G. Bennett). And, if you'd like to send a note to my mom, her address is: 2225 Sudbury Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20012. Take care, and thanks again. db Debbie Bennett, AIS class of 1975 January 31, 2006 Dear Friends -- I'm sorry to tell you that my brother, Mike Bennett, AIS class of 1969, passed away yestereve of renal cancer. He was diagnosed in October, and was up and about and his cantankerous old coot self up until yesterday, when he asked Mom to take him to the hospital. Unfortunately, I was not there last night, but Mom said he was peaceful and not in pain -- he just turned over and went to sleep. He was 54 years, 6 months and 2 days old. We will miss him sorely. I'm ok, Mom is a rock. I'm on my way down to DC to be with her and my other brother, Bill, and Bill's family. I don't know yet about services, and probably won't get a chance to send another e-mail, but keep an eye on the obits in the Washington Post for further information. Some of you knew Mike, some of you just know me -- either way, I wanted you to know. I'm sure I've missed someone off this list -- please pass the word on. xoxoxoxo db Debbie Bennett, AIS class of 1975
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