Mary Atkins Bennet Rhodes

Mary Atkins Bennet Rhodes, 72, of Flemington, New Jersey, died peacefully in her sleep on April 27, 2020 at her home at Independence Manor. Born on June 15, 1947 in Middletown, Connecticut, Mary was fierce and sassy, a carer and giver, a survivor. She was ever ready with accumulated wisdom ("Put some alcohol on it" and "When you fall off a horse, get back on.") She was an aficionado of Advil Cold and Sinus, Diet Coke, and Crocs, refusing ardently to consider all contrary views and evidence (despite repeated attempts!). She was a wild spirit, running her own language training company for 15 years, while full-time grand parenting with passion and patience. She never met a trashy romance novel that she didn't love. She also loved the beach and the sun, and detested the suggestion of sun screen. (Crispier the better!) She loved to garden and could grow anything. She loved to swim endlessly; the water was one of her happy places, a place where she and Jenn--the Thelma to her Louise--spent many days right up until the end. And above all, she loved her girls and her grandchildren. Mary is survived by her daughters, Molly Naughton of New Hope, PA and Jerusha Rhodes of New York, NY; by her most beloved grandchildren, Luca, Paola and Jalilah; and her brother, John, and sisters, Phoebe and Lois. She is predeceased by her son William John Rhodes III, her husband William John Rhodes, and her brother, Doug. Services and burial will be scheduled at a later date, once the family can come together to celebrate her life under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. In lieu of flowers, Mary would want you to support research currently being done by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Donations in her memory may be mailed to HDSA 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018. Family and friends are welcome to leave messages at: https://everloved.com/life-of/mary-bennet-rhodes/ For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.