Obituary of Deborah Ann Bennett

Deborah Ann Bennett, age 72, of Dallas, TX, passed away on December 11, 2020. Debbie was born in San Antonio, TX, to Wayne and Ruth Bennett on June 27, 1948. She grew up in University Park, graduating from Highland Park High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from SMU in 1969, and studied French at Alliance Française in Paris, France. Debbie loved adventure, and, with her good friend Pam Lenau, spent a year after college traveling around the world. Debbie’s other passion was sailing. She logged more than 40,000 miles over a 15-year period, including two transatlantic passages, sailing throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and the East Coast of the US. Her sailing experiences and talent for writing and research led to positions as associate editor, contributing editor and freelance writer for several sailing magazines, including Cruising World and Practical Sailor. Debbie took child-like delight in all things colorful. She bought clothes and jewelry with the eye of an art collector. Whimsical, colorful animal objects were favorites. On her travels or at the neighborhood antique mall, she never tired of looking at beautiful things. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Derek A. Bennett and nephew Gavin D. Bennett. Survivors include sister-in-law Kay Bennett of Prosper, TX, and nephew Brooks Bennett (Aly) and family of Chesterfield, Missouri, as well as friends in Dallas, the Newport RI area, New York City and Mexico. At this time, there is no service planned. A private interment will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.