Josephine Bonadonna Obituary

Happy Birthday Mama Jo and Happy Birthday Papa Jo. I know you are always with us especially your children. I know you know, but wanted to share in written words, that I will never forget you and I wish you were here to personally sing Happy Birthday to. I love you both always.

Love Maryann

Happy Birthday Mother & Father!

Love & Miss You So Much

Dearest Mother and Father
Two years without an entry - doesn't seem possible that so much time has gone by since we have been without you - Father 8 years and Mother 4. Sometimes it is as if time has stood still and other times it seems like forever ago.

Not a day goes by without thoughts of you. Our family is not the same without you here, but you are in our hearts and thoughts forever. You are deeply missed and greatly loved.

Thank you for watching over all of us.

With love,

HI Mother & Father



Well you guys did it again - thank you for keeping John from getting hurt - I know you are watching over all of us. I wish we didn't have to keep you so busy, but thanks for keeping us all safe.



Time passes - I still want to pick up the phone and call you - so many things to talk ago. I miss you so much. I suppose that will never stop.



Til the next time....

All my love,

Sarafina

Thank you for catching him.



All my love,

Dear Mom and Dad,

Happy 52nd Anniversary!



I really miss you.



All my love,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

It sure has been a while since I've written - I'm sorry. Not a day goes by without missing you. It has really been a long journey - trying to get used to you not being here.The world is just not the same - my life is just not the same. I hold on dearly to your memory - I just wish you were here to talk to - there's so much to tell you! Dealing with Father's death was a bit "easier" (that sounds bad, but let me go on) because YOU were still here to help us get through it. Your incredible strength and love somehow eased the pain of his loss. Now I rely on your spirit to get through the tough times.



Joe just wrote two beautiful tributes - one to you and one to Father. He told your stories and captured your essence so amazingly. Here is part of what he said about you:

My mother, Josephine, was an incredible person. She had been presented with many, many physical challenges throughout the years;



* Multiple heart-attacks

* Two open-heart surgeries

* Diabetes

* Kidney problems – Dialysis three times a week for her last fives years



These are among many afflictions and episodes she encountered in her life. She always fought back and became more independent with each recovery.



The word “heart” has many meanings. Anatomically speaking, the heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.



In non-physical terms, “heart” is a state of love, affection, generosity, compassion, inner strength, and character. Josephine was an embodiment of all of these conditions. Although only 15% of her physical heart functioned for many years, it was the strength of her non-physical heart that carried her through for so long.



Josephine was married for forty-six years before my father, Joe, passed away on October 23, 1999. Married life was not always easy, but after all the kids moved out and all the grandkids started coming, they both learned to be more patient and understanding of each other and their relationship evolved into a bond of true love and caring for each other.



Josephine had never lived alone until my father died and many people wondered how she was going to handle being alone. After my father’s funeral, she seemed remarkably calm and said she would be fine. She often mentioned that it felt like he was there with her.



Josephine lived by herself for the last four years of her life. Her children and grandchildren shared the responsibility of transporting her to and from dialysis three times a week, and every ride was a gift of just being with her.



She was independent and as strong as anyone in her condition could possibly be and got around on her own means.



On the morning of November 7, 2003, she was having breakfast with my brother, Mike, before he was going to take her to dialysis. She said she wasn’t feeling well and excused herself to the bathroom, where she passed.



She was an inspiration to many.

***********

And you still are...



Til the next time, with all my love,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

Well, here it is, 13 months since you left us. Happy belated birthday to you and Dad. I'm sorry I haven't written more often - sometimes I want to write every little detail of every day - just like we used to share over the phone or in your living room - and other times, I'm overwhelmed with the fact that you're not here anymore. Of course, you're in my heart and soul and every corner of my life, and you always will be...but I really miss you being HERE. I miss you intensely. I was so lucky to have you for so long - some people lose their parents at much younger ages - but like I've said before, I guess I'm greedy. I've decided to keep this guestbook permanently - I wish we had one for Dad. It is a great place to visit and "talk" to you. Give my love to Amanda, Dad, Jimmy, Nonni (both) and Nonno (both) and the rest of the family. Tell AManda Happy 19th birthday. Keep watching over us. We really need you.



Loving and missing you,

Me

Dear Sarafina,

I was going through my mom's guest book and came across your mom's. I am so sorry to hear that she passed away. I know what you must be feeling because I felt the same things and still do to this day. I only met your mom a couple times but I do remember she was one terrific lady!! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and if there's ever anything I can do for you or if you just want to "talk" know that I am here for you. God Bless you and your family.

Love,

Susie and Mike Bunch

Dearest Mother,

It's inching up to a year already. A whole year. Time is going by faster than ever. Kind of ironic that time is flying. It feels like you've been gone for so long and on the other hand, it seems like you left yesterday.....



I ache to talk to you. I so miss the little things, like stopping over at 10:00p.m. with mashed potatoes from dinner, helping you down the stairs, noticing and admiring how your purse always matched your shoes, getting a little annoyed when you forgot something in the switching of purses (!!), Sunday nights watching The Practice, and most of all, the daily phone call.



this was a busy summer with parties and all - the "dreaded" year with all those graduations. Well, they all made it and they're all moving on to their new schools. Vanessa loves high school! She has a tough schedule, but I'm sure she'll do fine. Everyone else seems to be doing well.



The hole in my heart left by you, Father, and Amanda is ever so present - some days it overwhelms me. Some days I'm OK. I'm really trying to hang in there. i just miss you so much.



Please continue to watch over us.



With all my love,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

More time goes by, but the pain of losing you is still there. I thank God for all the years I had with you and for keeping us so close. I wouldn't trade all our time together for anything in the world. You were a gift to the world, but especially to me. Little Josephine misses you - I let her hear your voice on my answering machine the other day - it really made her smile. Hearing your voice is so comforting, it brings you back for a brief instant. I know you are truly in Heaven - no pain, no heartache - you are at peace. I wanted to let you know that I think of you constantly and I deeply miss you. Thank you for watching over us.



All my love,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

I miss you so much!! Now I know just why I dreaded losing you. It is so lonely, empty and just plain different without you...

Thank you for all that you gave us. I suppose one of the reasons I miss you so much is because I'm selfish -- I still want to share with you all the details of the kids, and the rest of the family. Whenever something happens i still want to pick up the phone and tell you first! Then I remind myself that you are always with us and you already know what's happening...



Please continue to watch over us. I love you,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

Happy Mother's Day! Don't know what happened to the letter I wrote you the other day, but maybe it will appear here eventually...



Love and miss you more than ever...



Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be writing a long note to you soon. I miss you intensely. Happy Easter!

Love, Sarafina

Hi Mom, I know you're besides us at all times but it feels good to write this to you. Like a personal note to you. First of all as you already know the kids and I miss you terribly. I'm filled with so much guilt for not visiting with you more. I'm so so sorry for being ignorant but it wasn't at all intentional. I get so wrapped up in my problems that everyone around me is slipping by. I'm so sorry we didn't get to sit with you, talk to you and just fill you with our love more. Especially for Victoria. She took it the hardest and was really upset at me for not letting her see you. She asked for you all the time, wanting to go and visit. I can not tell you sorry enough. I do know that you know how very much we indeed love you and no doubt miss you. I'm so grateful to God for Bob and Sarafina coming into our lives and giving me all of you as family. I know you are definitly God's right hand woman. You filled me with so much love, both you and dad. I always felt I was home when we were all together and so did the kids. Nick brings you up a lot in his 4yr old way. He means well, mostly wanting to copy Vickie. Victoria faithfully says prayers every night, not ever missing a beat, and always includes you and dad. "her Grandpa & Grandma JO". She misses you so much she sometimes starts to cry and ask me why she couldnt see you before you left. What I would give to bring the kids to you again, to see you smile and give you hugs. Thank you mom for all you've done for me, my kids and everyone you've touched. You are truly one of Gods Angels and again I'm thankful to know you're besides us always giving us your guidance. I love you Mom. Mom more than ever, Hold Sarafina. She misses you more than words can ever express. She tries to be tough and holds herself together well, but inside she cries. You've seen her and I know you're beside her comforting her. Stay with her mom. I will do my best to fill her with love and happiness as well, after all, thats what sisters do. Til next time Mom, love you.

Hi Mother Dear,

It starts...you know what I'm talking about!

Please send me some of that unbelievable patience and tolerance you always had for certain situations.



It's really lonely here without you.



All my love,

Sarafina

Hi Mom,

Been so busy lately - going through the motions of daily life - missing you more every day. Your presence is with me every moment. Friday is here and I really don't like Fridays, especially in the morning, because that is the day and time you left us. I miss you intensely. Everything reminds me of you. I got a haircut today (finally!) and I had to fight back the tears and memories of you. No one will ever be able to cut my hair like you did!! But then again, no one can do anything like you did. The hole in my heart remains and I guess it will always be there. The kids miss you too. They don't say much, but I can see it on their faces whenever I mention you. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandma to them. They are so lucky to have had you and Dad and they will always have memories of you. Incredible memories.

Well, I should try and get some rest - we've got a crazy weekend ahead. Help me to get through it all - I was really looking forward to you attending this event at John's school this year. I hope you and Dad will be dancing to the Big Band music he will be playing Saturday night - it's going to be great...John has really turned into quite a musician.

Know that I love you and miss you dearly.

Love and kisses to all in Heaven,

Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

The pain of losing you is just as fresh today as it was two months ago. We were so close and there's such big hole in my heart, it's hard to bear. I'm comforted by the things I need to be comforted by - especially by the fact that you did not suffer at the end - and by the fact that we spent so much time together and you know how much I love you - it's just a really sad time for me. It's a sadness that I've not felt ever. It's a different sadness than when Amanda died. I've carried that with me since she was born and have learned to live with it. I know I'll learn to live without you - i have already - but it really hurts. You were the most wonderful person in the world. So kind, so loving, so forgiving, so gentle. I used to tell people that you were as close to Jesus as a person could get. Isn't that what we're striving for in this life? I hope I can assume some of those wonderful qualities from you and your loving spirit. By doing so, I will have felt successful in my life.

Thank you for being the most wonderful human being - thank God for giving you to me for my mother.



I love you and miss you so much.



Sarafina

Hi Mom

Just one of those ordinary days that I'm missing you more than usual.

I love you.

Sarafina

Dear Mom

I've been wanting to write for about a week now - crashed computer + Christmas craziness made it almost impossible.

I just want you to know how very much I miss you and that I think of you constantly. Christmas was very lonely without you. We were all at your house, Joey put up the tree, everybody came, but it just wasn't the same. Your presence is everywhere though, and by that there is comfort.

I've had a couple of dreams about you - I'm not sure what they mean - are you trying to tell me something?

Please send Amanda our love for her 18th birthday and always.

I miss you and I love you.

Always, Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

Well here we are a month later. 31 days since you left us. Today was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. What a beautiful mass we had at school. Many of the songs were the same songs from your funeral. Gentle Woman describes YOU perfectly. I miss you so much.



I went to RCG today to see the staff and some of the patients. That visit was very hard for me. Everyone was so happy to see me and we all cried. Everyone said how much they miss you, what a wonderful person you are, how sorry they were. I was glad I went. No one is in your chair - it seems like they're holding it for you...Karen and Jerry seem to be doing okay - they both miss you terribly. I will visit them again.



My heart aches for you. I keep wishing we had more time together. I'm selfish, I guess. Life still seems empty and hollow now. Why did you have to leave so soon?



I will write again soon. Kiss Dad and Amanda for me and tell them I love them. I miss you, Mommy, and I love you so much. "Behave yourself."

Love, Sarafina

Dearest Mother,

The shock of losing you has left me numb. I'm functioning, but everything feels hollow and empty. It seems as if you're on vacation. Your presence is palpable - I cannot believe you're really "gone". I have so many things to tell you. I miss your daily calls and I have picked up the phone many times to call you. I miss you so much. My heart is broken. I know you don't want me to be sad, I just wish I had another chance to hug you and tell you I love you. You know how much I love you. So does Father. I know you two are having a good time now. Amanda and Jimmy are the lucky ones now - they have you with them. Please watch over all of us. We need you.

With all my love,

Sarafina

Dear Serafina & Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and this difficult time. Remember all the wonderful memories you have shared. God Bless.

Sincerely,

The Mazur Family

MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES. THANK YOU.

Thank God for the life of Josephine Bonadonna, and all the blessings she shared with her family and friends. May all who miss her be comforted and know they are not alone.

Sarafina and Family,

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this diffcult time.



Fahey Family

Sarafina and Bob, I was sorry to hear of Mrs. Bonadonna's death... my thoughts and prayers are with you... Rita Weinberg (NCDC ALum)

Serafina,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.



Joanie Schimpf (NDHS '73)

Dear Angelo,

I am sorry for your loss and I offer my condolences to your and your family.