SEARSMONT — Dennessa L. Benner-Hildings, 47, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after suffering a medical event at her home the previous day.

Born in Rockland, April 3, 1974, she was the daughter of Henry, Jr. and Josephine Coolbroth Benner. “Nessa” spent her early years in Port Clyde.

She attended Rockland schools and, after moving to Searsmont with her mother, attended Belfast schools.

In 1995 she moved to Vinalhaven with her boyfriend, Foy Hildings. She enjoyed Vinalhaven where she worked at Dick Hilding’s “What’s Left Restaurant.” She also enjoyed cooking for American Legion suppers and later for public suppers held at the United Methodist Church in Searsmont.

Nessa would often be found digging clams with Foy. She took great pleasure in telling Foy how and where to dig, although Foy having grown up on and around the island was the more experienced clammer.

Nessa married her best friend, Foy B. Hildings, in Searsmont, November 22, 2003.

An avid crafter, in the past year Nessa taught herself how to crochet and shared many of the pieces she crafted with friends and family members. She also loved flower gardening.

On her birthday last year, Nessa received the special gift of her beloved dog “Frankie,” which she said she loved more than anything else in this world … “except my husband!”

For more than three years Nessa served as caregiver for her step-father, John Cushman, until his passing in May of 2019.

Other than her father, Henry Benner, Jr., Nessa was pre-deceased by her sister, Jolene G. Long; her nephew, Ryan Hayward and her mother-in-law, Mina Hildings.

She is survived by her husband Foy B. Hildings; her mother, Josephine Cushman; four brothers, Joel Long, Jason Long, Jarred Long, Justin Long and their families; step-sons, Nicholas and Tyler Adkins and their families; two brothers-in-law, Richard “Ðick” Hildings, Lowell “Tom” Hildings and his wife Jean, as well as many other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 25, 2022, at 11 a.m,, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Searsmont

Rescue, P.O. Box 56, Searsmont, ME 04973.

To share a memory or story with Nessa’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com