Bonnie Maxine Sarconi

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Surprise-Funeral-Care-140493606077911/?form=MY01SV&OCID=MY01SV

Born December 26th 1933, Bonnie was the 4th child of Clarence (Bud) and Arletha Stuard. She remained the much-loved baby of the family of all girls until her brother, Larry, was born six years later. Sadly, her sweet mother, Arletha, passed away in 1940 at the young age of 35 leaving behind 4 heartbroken daughters and a baby son. Eventually Bud remarried Jeannette and the newly blended family grew to 8 children – six girls and two boys.

Bonnie grew up in with her new blended family in Arkansas City, Kansas where she attended school in a one room schoolhouse alongside a dozen or so other youngsters. Not surprisingly, Bonnie grew in to a beautiful, talented, and intelligent young woman, loved by all. In high school she became a cheerleader and the secretary/treasurer of the Student Council until her graduation in 1951.

After high school it was time for the next adventure in Dodge City, Kansas where she worked as a receptionist/office clerk for the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company. A summer vacation to Colorado Springs found Bonnie anxious to get out of Dodge, literally. So in 1955, she packed up and moved to Denver with one of her sisters and her good friend Lois Rucker.

Bonnie found a true home in Denver and married Tom Sarconi. She was enthusiastically welcomed in to the Sarconi family and quickly learned how to cook the best Italian food ever at the foot of her wonderful mother-in-law. She also learned how to talk with her hands and make her voice heard at the family dinners where everyone talked loudly and all at the same time. It may have been at those family dinners she discovered her love of a good glass of red wine at the end of a long day.

By 1964 Bonnie was a mother of two girls and a boy who furthered her need for a good glass of red wine each day. She created a great home for her children and all of their friends. And a handful of dogs, guinea pigs, turtles, and a stray cat or two. All were welcome and went home well fed.

After her marriage of 26 years ended Bonnie moved to Arizona to be closer to her siblings. It was hard to leave her friends and family in beautiful Colorado, but she comforted herself in the knowledge that you don’t have to shovel sunshine. Eventually Bonnie went to work for the City of Peoria Parks and Recreation Department and quickly became the great friend, adopted mother and grandmother to all who met her during her 10 years there.

1999 ushered in the age of retirement and the fun was kicked off by a trip to Australia. Fortunately, Bonnie decided to return home after this wonderful adventure and set out to enjoy her free time which she filled with play dates with her grandchildren, card games with her friends, and lots & lots of football watching each fall. No December would have been complete without her famous toffee.

Bonnie moved in with the Zanin family at the beginning of 2020 just in time for Covid. If you have to shelter in place, there’s no one better to do it with than someone with mad cooking skills, a cabinet full of games, an incredible love of dogs, and plenty of free time. In between card games and trips to Costco, she enjoyed online Sunday church services courtesy of CCV and set a great example of a strong woman of faith - a faith that came in handy these last few months.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents and step mother, three sisters – Colleen, Wanda, and Zell; two step-sisters – Donna June and Darlene; 1 step-brother – Richard, 1 sister-in-law, 1 brother-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law. She’s survived by her brother Larry Stuard – wife Mary; daughter Leah Sarconi, son Vincent Sarconi – wife Melanie, daughter Patrea Zanin – husband Frank; three grandchildren Gina Dee Booth-husband Cole, Frank Joseph Zanin, Thomas Vincent Zanin; “adopted” grandchildren Shannon and Dustin Rehnke; two grandpuppies – Bonnie and Clyde; three great grandchildren –William Thomas Booth, Fiona Elise Booth, Emily Jean Booth; Numerous nieces, nephews, and all those who called her Aunt Bon, Mom, and Grandma.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 05, 2021 at 4:00 PM, at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, Arizona. A Reception will immediately follow this service.

The Family asks that you consider making a charitable donation in Bonnie's memory to the American Cancer Society at https://www.americancancersociety.org.

To sign the guestbook online, to share memories, and send condolences and well-wishes to the Family, please visit, www.surprisefuneralcare.com.