September 5, 1943 - July 24, 2024

Nina Ruth Darling-Bennett was the second daughter born into the Jewish family of Harry and Beulah Abrams, on September 5, 1943, in Washington D.C. Nina grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with one older sister. Nina was baptized as a Christian at Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Nina graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase Sr. High School in June 1961. After graduating from high school, Nina took several business courses at a local junior college. Nina's first job after college was at the Washington Post.

Nina's first government related job was as an accounting collection clerk at the Navy Exchange. Nina's professional career with the federal government began in 1979 as a payroll clerk. During her career, Nina worked at US Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Nina retired from ICE as a computer analyst at the rank of GS15 in 2012.

Nina's only child Jeanine Carol DeKraai, was born in September 1964 in California.

Nina lived in California, Ohio, and Virginia before meeting the love of her life, Navy Seal Michel Patrick Lee Bennett in 1979. Nina and Michel married on March 12, 1981. Nina and Michel lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Sterling, Virginia, where they enjoyed music, dancing, traveling, jogging, and playing board and card games, and small business ownership.

In October 2013, Nina and Michel retired to Clayton, North Carolina, where they built their dream home.

Nina was a passionate animal rescuer. Nina always said "rescuing one animal doesn't change the world, but for that one animal, the world changed". Over Nina's life, she rescued hundreds of cats and dogs. Nina also rescued a horse she named Beauty.

After moving to Clayton, Nina enjoyed women's book clubs, was involved in the Johnston County, Democratic Women's organization, and created a loving circle of friends who became her family. Nina was also said to have never met a stranger.

Nina and Michel renewed their wedding vows on March 28, 2022, at Crescent Moon Horse Farm, Archer, Lodge, NC.

Nina was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Beulah Abrams, her sister, Elaine Carol Meerkreebs, and her best friend of forty one years, Sandi Tedder.

Nina is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Michel, her daughter Carol, her brother-in-law David Bennett, her sister-in-law Patricia Main, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Nina is also survived by many friends who became her family.

Nina lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease on July 24, 2024. Nina passed away peacefully with her husband Michel by her side, and surrounded by many loved ones. Nina was only with us for 80 years, but her love and passion for life will live on forever.