Bennett earns honors

Catherine Bennett didn’t slow down in retirement. She went to work on her sewing machine.
“She’s truly one of those unsung heroes in your community,” said former executive director of The Portland Foundation Jack Cole on Wednesday.
Bennett, 90, was named this year’s recipient of the Jack Cole Award for Volunteerism at the foundation’s annual meeting at John Jay Center. The award was created by the foundation board in honor of Cole, who was the foundation’s first full-time executive director.
Longtime secretary to Portland banker John J. Jaqua, one of the foundation’s founders, Bennett was at first a bit adrift when she retired. But her husband, Ralph, encouraged her to join the Primetime group for seniors at Jay County Hospital. It was as part of that group that she first started making quilts for infants.
She started by making three. Today, Bennett has made more than 3,000 quilts for at-risk children and another 1,300 quilts for Pregnancy Care Center.
“She’s worn out countless sewing machines,” said Cole.
Bennett was also honored Wednesday with a Distinguished Hoosier award, presented on behalf of Gov. Mike Pence by State Rep. Greg Beumer.
Foundation executive director Doug Inman said the foundation continues to be dedicated to building for the future of Portland and Jay County.
“The work we do as a community foundation is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Inman, who is in his 19th year as executive director.
The foundation recognized three new endowments created in 2013.
Those were the Sharon Dues Memorial Scholarship Fund established by Joe Dues, the Larry and Maria Hiatt Endowment Fund and the Everett and Elizabeth Taylor Endowment established by their daughter, Lois Tatman.

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