Mary V. Bonney

OSWEGO – It is with great sadness; that we must report that on March 11, 2024, Mary V. Bonney, 88, of Oswego passed over. She is, now, sitting at the table with the big guy upstairs, for dinner each night.

Our mom was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong, determined, resourceful, and let’s be honest, willful to the end. Unfortunately, Covid is stronger, and in this circumstance, was a blessing in disguise.

Mary had been suffering from a long-term illness called Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson’s. It was noticed about 10 years ago, with subtle changes that progressed slowly over the years. In this past year, she had gone through so much- finishing out the year with a broken wrist, a hospital stay, surgery, pneumonia, a nursing home stay, RSV, and finally home again… each issue brought further development of her dementia, yet, for the most part, she woke and faced each day with a healthy attitude and a smile.

What I know is that my mom loved shock value… As long as I can remember, telling people about her diamonds was one of her most favorite things to do. (And, Just so you know, she did not literally “sleep with a different guy for each one” )

She was kind, especially to strangers. She was generous. She helped so many people. She was funny and fun loving. She was well traveled- having visited Japan, Germany, Mexico, Colombia, and nearly all of the United States, she took pride in how far she had come – from a poverty stricken child of the depression, to a woman of great standing. She knew how to get what she wanted. And did. She was loved by her friends and family, dearly.

Mary was one of 12 children, with a strong connection to each, and every one of them. She is survived by her brother Ron, the last remaining of the 12. Married at a very young age, Mary had four children  Deborah AuClair Milne (Chris), John L. AuClair (Karen), Antoine AuClair Bee (Larry), John-Eric Bonney (Stephanie), and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After high school, Mary attended further education and became a medical assistant, working for the Central Square Health Center for 17 years before retiring. Along with her Medical Assistant job, she developed a method of teaching English as a Second Language and taught dozens of Colombian people how to speak English. She brought them into her home, totally immersing them into her household, and could take a non-speaker and have them speaking, writing, and reading English, within three months. She wrote a book – a tutor guide – that she shared with two of her sisters so they, too, could teach students and make some money, as well. She loved teaching; and she loved the Colombian people she brought into her home.

She had a strong faith in God. We loved her very much and we will miss her.

Graveside services will be held at 12:15 on Friday, March 15, 2024, in St. Peter Cemetery.