Bonita Blair

Bonita “Bonnie” Genevieve (Rozmarynowski) Blair, 75, of Zion, Illinois, a devoted and cherished sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, was born into Eternal Life on Friday, May 3, 2024, surrounded by her husband and children.

Bonnie was born on August 24, 1948, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Bonnie was a member of the 1966 graduating class from John Marshall Jr/Sr High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received a Medical Assistant Diploma in 1968 from Milwaukee Technical College.  With her husband Bill serving in the US Navy for 27 years, they moved frequently but she always found work supporting others, usually in the medical/healthcare field.  Her last role prior to retirement was as the pathology department admin and medical transcriptionist at Vista Medical Center – East, in Waukegan, Illinois.

Bonnie embraced life and lived it to the fullest.  She loved her family and friends with a passion; you knew that from the big bear hugs (and kisses, if you were extra special) she gave.  Bonnie was creative; spending time in her younger years on decorative art projects such as ceramics, needlepoint, embroidery, and sewing clothes for the kids in their early childhood.  She loved music and singing, joining clubs in school and church choirs.  She also enjoyed crocheting, making many angels and snowflakes.  Her children have fond memories of her coloring, and she often would sit down and color with them.

For her children and grandchildren, Bonnie was always a source of strength and support, a listening ear, and a caring heart.  She would do anything that would make their lives easier, including staying up late to help them finish many school projects, and driving them to and from countless school and church activities.

Later in life Bonnie loved to spend her time working in her gardens, making sure that everything was well-groomed and beautiful.  Bonnie often gave away plants she grew to family and friends, sharing the gift of colors and joy.  She made most of her own jewelry and was proud to wear it.  Bonnie was fond of her many vacations, often alone with Bill, but several times joined by the kids and grandkids.  She enjoyed long walks on the beach looking for seashells and watching the sun rise and set over the water.  All of her grandkids were able to join her for three of these trips to Folly Beach, South Carolina, which was one of the family’s favorite destinations.  Bonnie and Bill took a handful of cruises together, with several of these trips in the Caribbean and to Alaska.

Throughout her life, Bonnie’s strong faith and love for the Lord was evident.  Her faith was a model for her children, and they believe in the Lord today in part because of her example.  When the family moved to a new city, Bonnie always found a church for the family to call home, and she sang in the church choir when she could.

Bonnie is survived by many family members, including her husband of 52 years, William “Bill” Blair; her children Scott (Jennifer) Blair, Sarah Blair, Stephanie Blair, and Shannon Blair; her grandchildren David Blair, Anna Blair, Matthew Blair, and Zachary Blair; her siblings Michael (Karen) Rozmarynowski, Valerie (Ross) Henning, and Deanna LaForge; her sisters-in-law Barbara Brenzel and Susan Nelson; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mitchell Rozmarynowski and Genevieve (Cudnohowski) Rozmarynowski, her twin brother, William Rozmarynowski, and her son, Steven Blair.

In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions out to the Blair family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 16, at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, with a memorial service from 6:00pm to 6:30pm.  Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 17 in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI, with visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am and a memorial service from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  Entombment to follow.