Maria Benedita Santistevan or as known to many Bennie Santistevan
March 10, 1939 to November 10, 2021
Bennie Santistevan was a resident of Hendersonville, NC since the 1990’s, living on Druid Hills Rd and W. Chestnut Dr. Bennie is survived by one son, Gregory Santistevan and his wife Christine andgrandson Andrew Santistevan. She was preceded in death by two sons Anthony and Matthew. Bennie came from a large family of sisters and brothers, with many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister Agnes (Jim) Sanchez, brothers Fred (Mickey), Pete (Linda), Gilbert, Orlando (Nellie) and Richard.
She had many, many friends in Hendersonville due her outgoing activities in the arts and volunteer work for the Hendersonville Symphony, participation in book clubs, and supportof the local art scene. She was an accomplished artist herself, having ribboned in several art shows. Bennie had different professional careers where she used her outgoing personality and calm demeanor in office environments, outside sales and most recently as a real estate professional.
Bennie was a supporter of the local Hendersonville Boys and Girls Club and the Western North Carolina Public Radio where the station would almost always be playing in the background of her house! Bennie was a lover of music, spending year after year at the Spoleto Arts festival in Charleston, NC volunteer ushering to insure she could attend as many performances as possible!
Bennie was born in Rosa, NM to Enrique and Libradita (Abeyta) Rivera. Rosa was a small speck of a town which had to be abandoned because of imminent domain for a large reservoir (Navajo Dam) in SW Colorado and NW New Mexico. She grew up in Ignacio, CO, where she met her only husband Maximilliano Santistevan. They later divorced and Bennie went on to raise 3 boys herself. She worked in various jobs and went to college to better herself in So. California until offered a job in sales for Allen Mfg., a company near Hartford, CT (you know the hex key wrenches and bolts) in 1972. Off went Bennie and the 3 boys to live in Simsbury CT where she lived until the mid-1990’s. Bennie, being outgoing as ever, met numerous people and has many friends to this day in California and Connecticut. As the boys grew and left the nest, Bennie who was always the helper/caretaker of all, would take in her niece Maria and other family members, helping them to get established!
To say Bennie lived a productive life would truly be an understatement. Bennie was fiercely independent and lived her life as she wanted, being a great friend to many people. Bennie loved to travel, especially by car, to see various museums. She crisscrossed the US several times for vacation, but also during her sales jobs where she would call on manufacturing companies across many states, Mexico and Canada. She loved international travel, having been to Europe and places in the Caribbean, Mexico, and a few unknown places.
Bennie loved to entertain and fix great meals in her home and with her friends at their homes. Bennie was a great cook and could make many fun and delicious dinners and host great parties.
I am sure there will be many fun and great stories shared by Bennie’s relatives and friends as we celebrate the wonderful life she had.
Bennie will be laid to rest with her son Anthony, mother, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles in the Rosa Cemetery near Arboles, CO.