Philomene Francis Dosek Bennett

Philomene Dosek Bennett passed on September 25, 2024 while under the watch and care of her loving family.

She was born in January of 1935 to Edward and Philomena Dosek and was the youngest of 6 siblings.

Philomene is most widely known for her beautiful paintings, of which many are deeply inspiring and often spiritual in nature. But, for those who met her and were close to her she was much more than a renowned artist. She had a loving, beautiful and radiant energy that made her uniquely wonderful... which was often reflected in her most accomplished inspirational works of art.

From the age of 5 years old, Philomene knew that she was going to be an artist. She whole existence and way of experiencing life involved a creative flow of feelings, expressions, and observation that influenced her relationships and let her to create some of the most profound words of art.

In 1955 at the young age of 20 years old, Philomene completed her study of art at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, earning a B.F.A. One month after graduation, Philomene married Richard Dale Bennett, who was also a talented artist and one of the first employees in the newly created Contemporary Arts Department at Hallmark Cards. Philomene's love for Richard caused nearly 6 continuous years of pregnancy that resulted in 5 children who she loved and cherished to the end. each with their own uniquely special relationship.

In the early years following graduation and marriage, Philomene was an avid painter of contemporary art that required a balance between being a mother of 5 young children and pursuing her innate love for creating beautiful works of art.

In 1973, Philomene married Louis Marak, an accomplished studio artist and freelance artist for Hallmark Cards. Together, Philomene Dosek Bennett and Louis Marak became legendary in the Kansas City art scene.

In an art world that was heavily dominated by men, Philomene was successful in establishing herself as a respected and relevant artist in the Kansas City art community and beyond. She was co-founder and president of the highly regarded Kansas City Artist Coalition, Art Editor of Helicon Nine Journal of Women's Art and Letters, Adjunct Art Instructor and visiting artist/lecturer at Kansas City Art Institute, as well as a prolific painer, ceramist, and creator of artistic expressions in a variety of forms. Public and private collections of her artwork are found in The National Museum of Women in the Arts - Washington, D.C., Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - Kansas City, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art - Kansas City, Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art - St. Joseph, Missouri, Hallmark Corporation - Kansas City, Crown Center Hotel - Kansas City, United Missouri Bank - Kansas City, Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Art Collection - Kansas City, as well as other collections that are too numerous to name.

Philomene is survived by her children, step-children, their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Philomene is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husbands Richard Bennett and Louis Marak, her son Brad Bennett, her step-daughter Jean Marie Marak, step-son Paul Marak, and granddaughter Hannah Maria Bennett.

A celebratory service in honor of Philomene will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Thursday October 3rd starting at 1:30pm. Visitations will be held prior to the service from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church has an unprecedented display, within a place of worship, of artwork created by Philomene Dosek Bennett and Louis Marak in the form of stain glass windows and a large crucifix. It is located at 900 NE Shady Ln. Dr., Kansas City, Missouri.

Philomene's family asks that anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of Philomene to please make it to the Kansas City Artist Coalition or smaller donations to the St. Charles's Philomene Bennett Emerging Artist Award Fund (on website please select 'General Giving' and in 'Note' write "For Philomene Bennett Emerging Artist Award Fund.")