ROCKLAND — Constance ‘Connie’ Benner, 67, beloved wife of Ralph Benner, died following a hard fought battle with cancer, Friday, May 10, 2019 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Born in Rockland, December 9, 1951, Connie was the daughter of Heman and Emily Sawyer Hallett. Educated locally, she was a 1970 graduate of Rockland District High School. While in high school, Connie fell in love with Ralph Benner, a young man from one town over, who had just been discharged from the Army.

Ralph and Connie were married November 21, 1970 at Rockland Congregational Church.

Connie’s first real job was working for the local telephone company. She later moved on, holding employment at most of the local fish factories.

Connie loved to travel, enjoying trips to Branson, Missouri, Niagara Falls, and California, as well as casino trips, and bus tours with friends.

Being with family was her number one priority. She never missed a play, sporting event, school event or activity her children and grandchildren were participating in. She loved going out to eat and to the movies. She
looked forward to holidays, especially Halloween, and she relished the family gatherings that surrounded the Lobster Festival Parade, Easter breakfasts, and birthdays each year. If there was a reason to throw a party,
Connie found it. Her great sense of humor kept her laughing and smiling, even on the hard days.

She enjoyed playing games, doing puzzles and keeping up with friends and family through social media. She had a loving heart and she cared immensely for all the people in her life.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents and a brother Carleton Hallett; Connie is survived by her husband, Ralph W. Benner of Rockland; her children, Shannon Black and her husband Chad of Jacksonville, FL, Michael Benner and his wife Ami of Thomaston; her grandchildren, Bailey Black and Morgan Black both of Rockland; her brothers, Guy Hallett and his wife Elaine of Rockland, Bruce Hallett of Dover Fox-Croft; her four-legged companion, a Shih Tzu, ‘Buddy’; many nieces and nephews, as well as too many friends to count.

Connie’s family was thankful for the wonderful care she received at the Special Care Unit of Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Family and friends are invited to a gathering of love and remembrance, Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Warren Odd Fellows Hall, 37 Camden Road, Warren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Wildlife, P.O. box 620, Cape Neddick, ME 03902 or online at www.thecenterforwildlife.org. Donations may also be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research
Alliance (OCRA), 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 2110, New York, NY 10122 or online at https://ocrahope.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/.

To share a memory or condolence with Connie’s family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.