Pynchon's Mother [PAID DEATH NOTICES., Newsday, 11-19-1996]

[Craig Clark]

> PYNCHON - Catherine Bennett, on November 18, 1996, formerly of East
> Norwich, LI. Born January 6, 1909 in Frankfort, NY. Daughter of the
> late Frances Thomas Bennett and James Bennett. Sister of Thomas, Agnes
> and Joseph Bennett, all deceased. Widow of Thomas R. Pynchon, who died
> in July 1995. Received her R.N. from Crouse-Irving Hospital in
> Syracuse, NY in 1929, and came to work for Glen Cove Community
> Hospital (now North Shore University Hospital at Glen Cove) a few
> years later. She retired from the Hospital in 1955. Made her home in
> East Norwich from 1941 until 1993 where she was active in the
> community and founding volunteer of the East Norwich Public
> Library. Survived by her children, Judith B. Pynchon of Port
> Washington, LI; John W. Pynchon of New Port Richey, FL, and Thomas
> R. Pynchon; and by her grandchildren, Kara Pynchon; Tristan Taormino;
> Shari Pynchon; Devon Pynchon: and Jackson James Pynchon.  Visiting
> Oyster Bay Funeral Home, 261 South Street, Oyster Bay, LI, Tuesday 7-9
> PM and Wednesday 3-5 and 7-9 PM. Funeral Mass St. Dominic RC Chapel,
> Thursday 9:30 AM. Interment Memorial Cemetery of St. John's Church,
> Laurel Hollow, LI. In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer's
> Association, LI Chapter, 579 Monroe Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516

Thomas, if you're out there, my condolences. In some strange and 
wonderful way, your novels were my biggest comfort when my father 
died thirteen years ago. Thank you for that.

Craig Clark

"Living inside the system is like driving across
the countryside in a bus driven by a maniac bent
on suicide."
   - Thomas Pynchon, "Gravity's Rainbow"