Obituary of Bonnie Marie Stewart
Bonnie Marie Schwartz was born in Livonia, Michigan on October 15, 1947. She was one of four children born to Charles and Edith Arlene (Craft) Schwartz. She was a graduate of Franklin High School in Livonia.
On May 22, 1967, she wed Larry Stewart. Their union was blessed with the birth of three sons and a daughter. Bonnie was very intelligent and throughout her adult life she wasn’t afraid to reinvent herself. In the 1980’s she worked as a bank teller for the National Bank of Detroit. During her tenure at Harland Checking Company, Bonnie learned to work with computer software. She later became a hospital forms maker at Optio Software for fifteen years, retiring in 2009.
An avid paperback novel reader for many years, Bonnie eventually became quite the movie buff. Her home movie collection grew to include more than four hundred VHS and DVD’s. Although she was open to any genre, the comedic dramas “Steel Magnolias” and “Terms of Endearment” were among her favorite films. Bonnie also enjoyed television comedies, especially “Last Man Standing”, “Friends”, and “Roseanne”.
A gentle soul, Bonnie had a strong affection for cats. Over the years, she provided for dozens of felines in need of a loving home. Her elderly cat, “Patches”, whom she had since he was a kitten survives her. Bonnie also had a deep appreciation for nature, loving nothing more than being outdoors with the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. Bonnie cherished the time spent with family. She adored her mother, Arlene, whose loving care was reflected in Bonnie’s own ability to be a wonderful mother and grandmother. She extended her kindhearted nature to everyone. Many people, outside of her own four children, referred to her as “Mom”.
Bonnie Marie Stewart, age 75, of Dundee, Michigan passed away peacefully on Wednesday; September 20, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents; a brother: Charles Schwartz; her former spouse: Larry Stewart Sr.; and many feline friends including “Tigs” and her favorite three-legged cat, “Toby”.
To cherish her memory she leaves four children: Terry (Debbie) Stewart of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Larry (Gladys) Stewart Jr. of Dundee, Jeremy (Jacki) Stewart of Roswell, Georgia, and Autumn (Matthew) McGee of South Lyon, Michigan; eight grandchildren: Elijah, Elizabeth, David, Honey, Justin, Matthew, Adain, and Kayla; and two great grandchildren: Emery and Isaiah; a brother: Tim (Sharon) Schwartz; a sister: Cindy Regear; and her sister-in-law: Diane Schwartz.
A Celebration of Bonnie’s Life is being planned for Saturday October 14, 2023 at 1:00pm at W.J. Hayes State Park in Onsted, Michigan. Bonnie’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation, of Erie, Michigan.
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