Nancy Granger Bonilla

Nancy Leigh Bonilla was born in Richmond, Virginia on August 6, 1938 to Walter and Grace Granger. She passed away peacefully in her home in Seaford on July 15, 2024 with her beloved son Kevin at her side. It’s hard to know where to start in describing Nancy’s life, but it makes sense to first acknowledge her tremendous dedication to her husband Ray and their four children, and the grandchildren and great grandchildren that followed. Nancy was always a steady, loving force that brought and held our family together. Nancy met Ray at a party soon after she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond. Ray was a striking young airman stationed at Langley AFB and came to the party with another handsome young airman named Mike Jacyk from New York (who was dating and soon married Nancy’s older sister Mary, but that is another story!). Ray and Nancy married in April 1958 and enjoyed a long, happy marriage of 59 years before Ray’s passing in August 2017. During their marriage, Ray served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and the family moved numerous times around the country and around the world. During the Vietnam era, Ray was separated from the family for an entire year on three different occasions, leaving Nancy to care for the young family. Nancy was the quintessential military wife. She made it look easy as she moved the family across international waters, and managed the house and kids (except Terry, who was unmanageable!). After Ray retired from the Air Force in 1981 and began his second career in the civil service at Fort Monroe, Nancy began work for Thomas Nelson Community College as the Office Administrator for the Engineering Department. Nancy found many new friends at TNCC, and flourished during her 20 years of service there. Ray and Nancy lost their beautiful daughter Michele in July 2012, and it was understandably a difficult time for them. They persevered with strength and grace, and emerged with a determination to honor and celebrate Michele. They were remarkable role models for the rest of us. Nancy is survived by her sons Raymond Jr. (Michelle) of Austin, Texas; Terry (Sandy) of Grafton; and Kevin (Tamberlee) of Yorktown; Michele’s daughter Ryleigh Harmon of Poquoson; brother Walter Granger and wife Nancy of Richmond; 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends who she loved with all her heart. The family wants to express our deepest thanks to the wonderful ladies who cared for Mom prior to her passing. Thank you Cheryl, Deana, Mavis, Tina and Cathy. We also want to thank Sandy for everything she did to coordinate Mom’s care. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on August 24, 2024 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home 2551 N. Armistead Avenue in Hampton. Visitation from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM will be followed by a memorial service at 12:00 PM.