Bonita W. Piekarski

Bonita W. Piekarski, 92, passed away peacefully in the early morning of April 3, 2024, at the Harbor Chase Retirement Community. Bonnie was born in Keokuk, Iowa in 1931 to doting parents Carleton and Matilda Williams. A younger sister Judith and little brother Carter soon joined the family. Bonnie spent her early years in the Midwest surrounded by both sets of grandparents and extended family in and around the Champagne /Urbana, Illinois area, but her father’s transfer by DuPont brought the family to Wilmington in 1945. She attended P.S. DuPont High School and was a proud grad, class of ‘49.

She met Bill Vanneman in 1951 and they married in February of 1952 and welcomed daughter Vicki later that year and son Brad in 1956.  Bonnie spent the 50’s and early 60’s as a suburban housewife and mother to two rambunctious kids. When her marriage to Bill ended, she went to work for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Delaware.  While initially hired as a file clerk, she retired 30+ years later as the Director of Customer Service. During her Blue Cross years, she met and later married co- worker Ray Piekarski and welcomed his three children into her heart. In their retirement Bonnie and Ray enjoyed beach time in Bethany with family and friends, road trips to all corners of the USA, gardening, trying out new recipes, and attending the games, activities and red-letter days of their five beloved grandchildren. Bonnie and Ray celebrated their 46th anniversary just three days before Ray’s passing in 2016.

Bonnie was predeceased by her parents, in-laws, grandparents, infant sister Judith in 1936, stepdaughter Christine in 2013 and her darling kitties Sugar and Spice. She is survived by her daughter Vicki (Virginia Spurkland) Vanneman, son Brad (Anne) Vanneman, granddaughter Ashley (Kyle) Cox and their children Penelope and Bryce, and granddaughter Emily (Kevin Dicciani) Vanneman. Additionally, brother Carter (Susie) Williams, niece Lisa (Dan) Pitcher, Linda (Heather) Williams, cousin Jahn (Steve) Songer and dearest friend Isabel Silk.  Bonnie is also survived by her stepchildren and their families, Randy (Deb) Piekarski and their sons Raymond and Michael, Nikki Piekarski, Katie (Greg) Pingitore and their children Dakota and Mavrick.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Harbor Chase Retirement Community for the kindness shown to Bonnie these past three years. Also, heartfelt thanks to the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice (led by Wendy) for their loving care of our mother, ensuring her smooth and peaceful transition from this world.