In the summer of 2016, the quiet community of Puyallup, Washington, was touched by a tragedy that brought a long life to a sudden and violent end. Mary Virginia Bennett, a White/Caucasian female aged 93, died on July 6, 2016, in her home. Her death was not the result of natural causes, but rather the grim outcome of a homicide-suicide. She was found alongside her companion of 28 years, Luard "Buck" Spurlock.
Authorities concluded that Spurlock was the suspect in Bennett's death, having killed her before taking his own life. As the perpetrator died at the scene, no arrests were made in the case.
Mary, who often went by Virginia, was known to her friends and family as a vibrant and opinionated woman, even in her advanced years. Born Mary Virginia Schletzbaum, she had lived a full and varied life. In her younger days, she had worked as a nurse and a bookkeeper. She was a mother to two children, Sandie and Gary, from her first marriage. Later in life, she developed a passion for raising horses. Her intelligence was notable to all who knew her, and she was an avid reader with a keen interest in a wide array of topics, though she held particularly strong views on politics and pharmaceutical companies, preferring naturopathic medicine.
Her life was marked by a deep generosity towards her family. She was known to provide for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in any way she could, from funding for braces to contributions for college. Her social life was active; she enjoyed ballroom dancing and was proud of the trophies she had won. It was through dancing that she met Buck Spurlock, the man who would be her companion for nearly three decades. Together, they enjoyed traveling, visiting casinos, and dining out. Her sudden death left a profound void in the lives of her loved ones, who remember her as a truly unique and amazing individual.
