another former bullard kid gone...
Brittany Elizabeth Benov BRITTANY ELIZABETH BENOV December 14, 1980 -
March 12, 2005
Brilliant, beautiful, talented Brittany was born in Fresno, the
youngest child and only daughter of Kathy Benov and Dr. Mark Benov. She
died at 24 years of age in New York City, where she had lived since
1998. Brittany attended Forkner Elementary School, Computech Middle
School, Roosevelt School of the Arts, and graduated from Bullard High
School, Class of 1998, where she was a pep girl and sang with the Jazz
Band. She was well-known locally as the little girl who did the Fashion
Furniture commercials and later was seen daily on Fox 26 TV as a host
of the Fox Kids Club. Britt appeared in many national commercials, TV
shows and ads, working with stars such as Rita Wilson and John Denver
and was a guest star in the final episode of "Highway to Heaven" with
Michael Landon. She was also the voice of a talking doll and several
computer games. Brittany was a multi-award winning singer, dancer and
actor who performed in Roger Rocka's Junior Company and was a national
anthem singer for many California State University, Fresno basketball,
baseball, softball and soccer games. Brittany's dream was to appear on
Broadway and she was thrilled to be one of three students nation-wide
accepted her freshman year to the prestigious Manhattan School of Music
in Vocal Jazz Studies. While at MSM, Britt was selected to be part of
their elite 10-member Musical Theater Ensemble. Her performances with
this group and her graduation in May of 2003 were her proudest
accomplishments. Following Brittany's sophomore year of college, she
was diagnosed with the mental illness Bipolar Disease and for the next
five years struggled with a devastating and yet courageous battle to
learn about and live with this disease that would ultimately and sadly
claim her life. Her journey was shared by her family and friends who
have developed insight, understanding and compassion for the millions
of Americans who are suddenly confronted by a disease that is still so
little understood. Perhaps she was a star shining too brightly to be
viewed except from the Heavens. Brittany is survived by her precious
cat Toby; her loving parents, Kathy Benov and Mark Benov; beloved
brothers, Jason Benov of Russellville, AR, and Matthew Benov and his
fiancee, Bridget Crothers of Riverside, CA; her grandparents, Mike and
Vera Michaelis; Auntie Marla Benov; cousins, Jarret Benov, Brandon
Collins and Jarett Collins; as well as a multitude of friends from all
over the world. An Open House in celebration of Brittany's wonderful
and extraordinary life will be held at the home of her mother, Kathy
Benov, 2410 E. Marquise Court in the Marquise Collection at Teague and
Chestnut on Saturday, March 19, 2005, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Brittany Benov Memorial
Scholarship. For more information, please email:
brittanybenovmemorialscholar ship@yahoo.com.