Barbara Bennett, 86, of Hamilton, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton. She was born on September 21, 1937, in Newark, NJ, daughter of the late Frank and Mildred (Guiliano) D’Ascensio. She was raised in Newark, and graduated from St. Vicent Academy in Newark, Mount St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell, and Montclair State Teachers College with a BA in Science. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Barbara married Gerald Bennett in 1961, and initially resided in Belleville before moving to Colonia in 1964 and raising their 4 children. In 1975, the family moved to Edison. Barbara and Jerry retired to Hamilton in 2000. Barbara taught science for 27 years at Plainfield High School, St. Helena’s Grammar School in Edison, and Avenel and Iselin Middle School in Woodbridge. She was a member of the National Education Association, the Retired NJ Education Association, and the NJ Science Teachers Association. She was awarded the Teacher of the Year Award from Avenel Middle School in 1991. Barbara was a long-time parishioner of St. Francies Cathedral in Metuchen where she was a member of the Pre-Cana Team and a lector. Upon retirement she became a parishioner at St. Raphael/Holy Angels Church in Hamilton where she also served as a lector. She was a member and former President of the Active Adult Club of Hamilton and a Board member of the Evergreen Homeowner’s Association. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Gerald and son Christopher. She is survived by her sons Brian and his wife Sharon of Lewes, DE, and Gregory and his wife Mary Pat of Lewes, DE, her daughter Patricia and her husband Craig of Philadelphia, PA, her cherished grandchildren Tim, John, Michelle, CJ, Maya, and Martin, her cherished great grandchildren Lily, Jade, and Benjamin, and her brother and sister-in-law Frank and Marjorie D'Ascenzio of Bethlehem, PA. Barbara will be remembered for her cooking prowess, unconditional love of family, and as a caring, selfless person who was always putting the needs of others before herself. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael’s Church, 3500 S. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1200 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ. Relatives and friends may visit on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 5 to 8 PM and Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 9 to 10 AM at Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, 260 White Horse Ave., Hamilton, NJ (www.KingstonandKemp.com). In keeping with Barbara’s concern for others, her wish was in lieu of flowers, a donation is made to your favorite charity or perform a random act of kindness.