Mary Elizabeth Bonazzi

05/07/1945

02/04/2021

Memorial contributions

may be made to

The Missions & Outreach Programs

at New Community Church (www.nccwm.org).

Mary Elizabeth (Kauffman) Bonazzi was born May 7, 1945 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Jack and Edna (Ford) Kauffman. She went to be with her Lord on February 4, 2021 in Grand Rapids, Michigan following complications from breast cancer. Mary’s family relocated to Florida when she was a child. She excelled in school and graduated from Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg in 1962. Mary attended the University of Florida where she received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.  In 1972, Mary moved to Grand Rapids. She worked at Metropolitan Hospital-University of Michigan for 35 years before retiring. It was at the hospital that she met her soulmate, Bob. A blending of families took place in 1980, and Mary and Bob were blessed to celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary in January of this year. After retirement, Mary spent much of her time volunteering. Always one to help the underserved, Mary devoted her time to various organizations and causes including teaching English to ESL adults, reading books to those with sight challenges, and serving as a regular volunteer at a local facility for senior citizens. Mary was a voracious reader, a lover of crosswords & puzzles and a gifted, lifelong flutist. She enjoyed playing her flute in church on Sunday mornings and performed with a professional quintet at various venues in Grand Rapids, including Meijer Gardens. She was a lover of nature and the outdoors. Mary and Bob enjoyed traveling in their retirement; favorite destinations were “up north”, Italy, the Canadian Rockies and anywhere her children, grandchildren and family lived. She had a wonderful sense of humor and saw the good in everyone. She was smart, compassionate, selfless, loved her family fiercely, and demonstrated her unwavering faith in every aspect of her life. Mary is survived by her adoring family: husband, Robert Bonazzi of Rockford; children, Susan (Matthew) Kimball of Dripping Springs, TX, Pamela Pfeifer of Tampa, FL, Tony (Kay) Bonazzi of Caledonia, Lorenzo (Julie) Bonazzi of Davenport, IA; nine grandchildren: Jasper and Ryan Kimball, Nico, Dominic and Dario Bonazzi, Liliana Bonazzi, and Courtney, Alexis and Gabby Kloft; brother, Jere (Louise) Kauffman; sister, Phyllis (David) Steele; and several nieces & nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents.  A visitation will be held at New Community Church in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, February 9th at 10am; a service officiated by Pastor Lew VanderMeer will follow at 11am. (The family will also hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.) Masks and social distancing will be required.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to the Missions & Outreach Programs at New Community Church (www.nccwm.org).

 

 

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