Joan Mary Bonti

Joan Bonti, age 70, died peacefully at the home of her sister, Linda, in Hilton Head, SC, surrounded by her family. She was born December 5, 1953, in Huntington Station, NY to the late Arthur and Mary Bonti.

Joan was an active mother and homemaker in her early adulthood. Her creativity was apparent in the arts and crafts she enjoyed while her children were young and blossomed in classes she took later in life in interior decorating and design. A drawing of hers—an early image of a house—hung in the family home built in its image for years in Tampa. She re-entered the workforce at 35, taking a job at a local retailer while studying for and earning her real estate license. Her sales career included many accolades and her ability and skill earned her vacations she shared with her children. Her hard work and success allowed her to retire in comfort at age 61.

Joan enjoyed travel, taking her first trip to Europe in her early twenties and returning with her daughter in her forties. She visited her family’s ancestral homeland of northern Italy with her mother and sisters shortly after her retirement. Noni, as her grandchildren christened her, loved taking her family to Disney World, making nearly annual trips with her daughter and grandkids.

Joan had a lively personality and could talk the ears off of corn. Throughout her life she was held dear by her many close friends, and enjoyed a vibrant social life well into her later years. She stayed active in retirement, volunteering with Dorcas Ministry and at WakeMed hospital in Cary, vacationing with her sisters, and spending as much time as possible with her nieces and nephews. She loved the beaches of Clearwater, watching musicals and stand-up comedy, going to hockey games, Christmas decorations, and most of all, remaining a central presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her children, Jay, Jenni, and Brad; her grandchildren, Harvey, Ben, Rumi, and Mina; and her siblings, Paul, Linda, Steve, Elaine, Laura, and Tommy. We are inviting friends and family to join us to remember Joan on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the following charities:

• Cure Alzheimers Fund – https://curealz.org/outreach/in-memory/joan-bonti/

• Memory Care – https:/memorycare.org/supporting-memorycare/ways-to-give/

o Go to [Donate Online]

o Please check the box that says, “I would like to dedicate this donation”

o Add “Joan Bonti” for Tribute Name

o Add [email protected] to the Email field under “Send Notification to”

The Bonti family is under the care of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park. www.MitchellatRMP.com