Romona Helen Bonner

Romona was born and raised in Chicago, IL, where she attended St. Ann's High School and St. Mary of Nazareth Nursing School. After acquiring her credential, she worked as a visiting nurse in the south side of Chicago, and as an industrial nurse at International Harvester. She attended night classes at DePaul University, ultimately earning her Bachelor's degree in nursing, and served as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. She also worked as a public health nurse in Seattle, WA, and in Fresno, CA, where she volunteered to provide immunizations to school children and conducted a puppet show on personal hygiene in the 1970s.

Romona married John T. Bonner, M.D. in 1964, at St. Pancratius Church in Chicago. Deeply committed to her Catholic faith, Romona recited the Rosary daily, with yearly Novenas to St. Ann. Upon having children, Romona eventually became a homemaker. A devoted wife and doting mother, Romona knew how to make occasions special, whether they were holidays, birthdays or events involving family and friends.

Romona loved to cook and entertain. She especially enjoyed her 'Gourmet Group' of friends which met several times a year for theme dinners over a period of some 40 years. She also appreciated music, attending the Fresno Philharmonic Symphony and musical theater shows. We will always remember her smile.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen and John Guzowski of Chicago, IL; and in-laws, Thomas and Isobel Bonner of Butte, MT.

Romona is survived by her husband of 52 years, John T. Bonner, M.D.; children, Kerry Lynn, Cheryl and David; and her furry canine companion, Liesl, a German Shorthaired Pointer.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Romona's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN); the Vasculitis Foundation; the Poverello House of Fresno, CA; the Missionary Oblates of Belleville, IL; or Mount Angel Abbey of St. Benedict, Oregon.

May the soul of Romona, and that of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.