Obituary of Bonnie Rae O'Leary

Bonnie Rae O’Leary passed away peacefully on the morning of June 12, 2023 at Nathaniel Witherell Assisted living home, Greenwich CT.  

Bonnie was born on May 14, 1933 in Superior Wisconsin to Esther and George Cole.  She graduated from Duluth HS.  She went on to earn a degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth School of Nursing.  She started her nursing career as an R.N. at St. Luke’s hospital, Duluth, MN.  It was there in Duluth where she met her husband John who was stationed there while serving in the Air Force.  

Bonnie and John Francis O’Leary were married in Duluth, MN then moved back East to Stamford CT where they both lived for the rest of their lives.  Bonnie worked for St. Joseph’s hospital in Stamford for many years and then worked as an OBGYN nurse for Dr. Robert Stellar and Dr. Marilyn Kessler.  

Bonnie was a dedicated nurse who gave of herself to so many people and caring for others.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a top-class knitter and an avid baker especially known for her famous desserts namely her banana bread.

Bonnie’s home was a place where all were welcome and cooking and baking never stopped.  She will also be remembered as a very dedicated and hard worker whether it be as a nurse or nurturing her family.  

Bonnie was pre deceased by her husband, John F. O’Leary, married 63 years, and her daughter, Mary Somers.  Bonnie had 8 sisters and 2 brothers and leaves behind her youngest sister Carol Lambert.

Bonnie was a loving mother of 3, grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 7.  Bonnie is survived by her children, Michael and Mary Ann O’Leary, and their 6 children:  Jimmy and Mara O’Leary and their children Izzy and Owen; Courtney and Greg Arnone and their 4 children, Olivia, Michael, McKenna, and Claire; daughter Maggie, son John and fiancé Jessica Silbereisen, daughter Clare and Steve Hagedus and son Shane, and son Danny O’Leary.  Bonnie’s daughter Kathy and Jamie Gorman, and three children Karly and Mike Conte, daughter Melissa and fiancé Steve Scalero and daughter Michele.  Daughter Mary’s husband John Somers and their three children, Megan, Kelly and Johnnie and extended family Hogan’s and Kelly’s whom she so loved.

Finally, a most heartfelt thank you from all our family to all the nurses, aides, and staff from Nathaniel Witherell for all their loving care and compassion given to mom.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 4-8 pm at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at St Cecilia Church 1184 Newfield Ave Stamford, CT.  Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery. To send on-line condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfunereralhome.com