Nina Ruth Darling-Bennett

Nina Ruth Darling-Bennett was the second daughter born to 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. And her 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 in New London, Connecticut. Her professional career with the federal government began in 1979 as a payroll clerk. At Little Creek Virginia. Where she met the Love of her life Michel Patrick Lee Bennett, they were married March 12, 1981 in Rockville, Maryland. During her career, Nina worked at US Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She retired from ICE as a computer analyst at the rank of GS15.

Nina and Michel lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Sterling, Virginia, where they enjoyed music, dancing, traveling, jogging, 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. She 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 years, Sandi Tedder, her Brother-in-Law Robert Earnist Bennett, and Sister-in-Law Kathleen Lee James ( Bennett).

Nina is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Michel, her daughter Jeanine Carol DeKraai, 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. She 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.