Nina Lacy Bennett was born December 30, 1943, in Lakewood, Ohio, the daughter of William and Abigail Lacy.
She was the second of their three children, Richard Lacy and Paul Lacy.
Nina's family moved around often while she was growing up and she graduated from Fair view Park High School in 1961 as Valedictorian. From high school, she went on to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she graduated in June 1965 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Nina joined The Peace Corps in 1965 and spent two years working with children in Ethiopia. It was an experience that forever changed her life, instilling a love of travel, teaching, and meeting new people.
When she returned home, she completed her Master's Degree in Education at George Washington University and then took a teaching position at an elementary school in San Diego, Calif.
Nina met her husband, Bruce Bennett, on a blind date in November 1970 at a Thanksgiving gathering. They were engaged by New Year's and married on July 31, 1971. When Bruce took a teaching position in Ferndale, Calif., Nina obtained a position at the elementary school in nearby Loleta, Calif. where she taught English, Science, and Social Studies. Bruce and Nina moved to a beautiful piece of property in nearby Rio Dell, where they had a variety of animals and their sons, Seth and Matt, were born. In 1976 they moved to Boulder, Colo. where their third child, Betsy, was born.
Over the years Nina continued her love of teaching in a variety of roles, including teaching English as a Second Language to family members of university students from abroad. Nina also went to nursing school and earned her LPN in 1984, but ultimately went back to teaching English. Nina loved to travel and combined her passions, finding a post for her and Bruce as teachers at a school for Maasai girls in Tanzania.
Nina also enjoyed weaving on her loom; puzzles; musicals; her dogs Oscar, Sophie, and Rosie; her grandchildren; singing in her church choir; planning trips and birthday parties; as well as simple pleasures like chai, Coca-Cola, peppermint patties, and sticky notes.
Nina passed away on April 16, 2025, at home.
She is survived by her three children, Seth Bennett of Littleton and his son, Jaxon; Matt Bennett of Boulder and his wife Elena and their two children, Lydia and Ryder; her daughter, Betsy Westbrook of Erie and her two daughters, Sarah and Meri; her brother Paul, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder, on May 31st, 2025, at 11:00 am.