Rita Bonville's Obituary
Rita L Bonville of New Port Richey, FL died peacefully on March 10, 2017. Born in 1916, Mrs. Bonville lived to 101 years of age.
In 1928, after finishing eighth grade, Mrs. Bonville left school to help her family by working in a factory. Even though she was unable to attend high school as a teen, she still pursued her lifelong dream to graduate high school and earned her GED in 1993. At the age of 77, she walked across the stage --in full cap and gown-- at Chamberlin High School inTampa.
Mrs. Bonville served as a dental technician and a chaplain’s assistant in the Woman’s Army Corp (WAC) during World War II. She was a member of American Legion Post 79 in New Port Richey, as well as Cary Post 67 while residing with her daughter, Michele, in North Carolina for three years. She was extremely proud of her service to her nation.
In 2010, Mrs. Bonville was selected for the Triangle Fight of Honor. The fully-funded, all-volunteer flight brought WWII veterans from North Carolina to tour the WWII monument in Washington, DC. Mrs. Bonville was also honored at an NHL Carolina Hurricanes’ hockey game on Veterans Night.
Mrs. Bonville took up tennis in her 60s and was an avid player well into her 80s. When it was suggested she might give up tennis for golf after an ankle injury sidelined her playing, she was quoted as saying she didn’t want to play golf because, “it is an old people's game!”
Mrs Bonville loved to knit and crochet. She spent countless hours making beautiful projects. Through her church she knitted mittens that were sent to children in the Appalachian mountains. She also made infant caps that were distributed to a local hospital. Through the Cary Senior Center in NC she crocheted lap blankets that were given to the needy.
Mrs. Bonville raised her family in Port Ewen, NY where she was the proud owner/operator of Rita’s Beauty Salon. During her years as owner she was named the first woman to join the Port Ewen Business Men’s Association.
Mrs. Bonville was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Kenneth Bonville (d. 1982). She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Vivian Blum of Burbank, CA; two daughters, Susan Bonville Kiernan of Trinity, FL (Tom) and Michele Bonville Schabot of Apex, NC (Joe); five grandchildren: Erin Kiernan Gray (Ben), Bridget E Kiernan, Thomas E. Kiernan Jr (Debbie), Zachary J Schabot (Kate), Scott K Schabot (Sasha Armour); and nine great grandchildren: Tim Freeberg, Jonathan Freeberg, Brooke Freeberg, Olivia Gray, Ryan Gray, Tyler Schabot, Emma Schabot, Zoey Schabot, and Connor Schabot.
Above all Mrs. Bonville loved her family. She was always there when they needed her. In 2016 her entire family came together to celebrate her 100th birthday. The milestone event not only gave them opportunity to reflect with her on her remarkable life, but to share their gratitude for her support and love over the years.
She lived a full life and made an impact on so many who loved and admired her. She will certainly be missed by all.
Her family would like to thank the staff of The Trinity Regional Rehab Center in Trinity, FL for the wonderful care Mrs. Bonville received as a resident there for the past six years.
A memorial service for a celebration of her life will be held on Friday March 17,2017 at 10:00am. Arrangements are under the care of Trinity Memorial Gardens.
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