Obituary for Mary Ellen "Bonnie" Wick
Mary Ellen “Bonnie” (Burgess) Wick, of Tolland, died January 1st at home, with her husband Charles Wick by her bedside. Born in Troy, NY, Bonnie graduated from Troy's School 18 in 1954 and then went to Catholic Central High School where she graduated with the class of 1958.
She leaves her husband, Charles Wick; sons, Charles Jr. of Milford, David and his wife Waleska; granddaughters, Kieley, Sarah and grandson, David Jr., all of Tolland. Bonnie is also survived by her brother, Roy Johnson of Crossville TN and sister, Colleen Johnson Smith (husband Albert) of Winchester VA; stepsister, Beverly Johnson Brogue (husband Ted) of Petersburg, NY. Not to forget the many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bonnie was predeceased by her mother, Martha Johnson; father, Francis Donald Burgess; the stepfather who was always there for her, Roy Johnson; her brother, Francis Donald Burgess, Jr.; and stepsister, June Johnson Pine.
After high school, Bonnie went to work in the order-processing department of Cluett Peabody/Arrow Shirt Division.
In 1962, Bonnie married Charles Wick (also of Troy) at Our Lady of Victory Church in Troy, NY. The following year, they moved to Manchester, CT, then Enfield and then Tolland. In 1972 Chuck was transferred to Dallas where they lived in Plano Texas for the next six years. Then, transferred back to Tolland, CT.
Theirs was a traditional marriage of that time. Bonnie was a stay at home mother/ wife who was there for their kids and guided them through life, schools, trade schools and colleges. This was followed by helping her sons and their wives as they raised their families. She always enjoyed the contact with her three grandkids.
In Tolland and Plano she was active with the Cub Scouts as a den mother and then a trainer for the den mothers. In Plano, she was active in their Parent Teacher Organization and volunteered working with the students on the reading and art programs.
As parents got older, she spent many weeks in Troy caring for her aging parents and the aging parents of her husband. Since they lived about five miles apart, she was often helping both.
Over the years, she enjoyed their vacations and cruises. In the last 15 years, most vacations were spent on Cape Cod. She loved to sit on the beaches at The Lighthouse Inn and the adjoining town beach in West Dennis, reading, resting and enjoying the sun but never getting in the water.
Bonnie also enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, various arts and crafts, reading, old movies, game shows (of which she was very good at), and spending time with all of her family.
Everything changed in January of 2019 when cancer entered her life. The doctors often were amazed at what a fighter she was. In October of 2021 it became evident that she was starting to lose the fight.
The entire family is missing her but we know Bonnie is in a better place. On the bright side, we know that she leaves us with many wonderful memories. The year 2022 would mark their 60th year of marriage.
Bonnie’s wishes were for a private family funeral. Those arrangements are still being determined.
If lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to the Tolland Senior Center.
She leaves her husband, Charles Wick; sons, Charles Jr. of Milford, David and his wife Waleska; granddaughters, Kieley, Sarah and grandson, David Jr., all of Tolland. Bonnie is also survived by her brother, Roy Johnson of Crossville TN and sister, Colleen Johnson Smith (husband Albert) of Winchester VA; stepsister, Beverly Johnson Brogue (husband Ted) of Petersburg, NY. Not to forget the many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bonnie was predeceased by her mother, Martha Johnson; father, Francis Donald Burgess; the stepfather who was always there for her, Roy Johnson; her brother, Francis Donald Burgess, Jr.; and stepsister, June Johnson Pine.
After high school, Bonnie went to work in the order-processing department of Cluett Peabody/Arrow Shirt Division.
In 1962, Bonnie married Charles Wick (also of Troy) at Our Lady of Victory Church in Troy, NY. The following year, they moved to Manchester, CT, then Enfield and then Tolland. In 1972 Chuck was transferred to Dallas where they lived in Plano Texas for the next six years. Then, transferred back to Tolland, CT.
Theirs was a traditional marriage of that time. Bonnie was a stay at home mother/ wife who was there for their kids and guided them through life, schools, trade schools and colleges. This was followed by helping her sons and their wives as they raised their families. She always enjoyed the contact with her three grandkids.
In Tolland and Plano she was active with the Cub Scouts as a den mother and then a trainer for the den mothers. In Plano, she was active in their Parent Teacher Organization and volunteered working with the students on the reading and art programs.
As parents got older, she spent many weeks in Troy caring for her aging parents and the aging parents of her husband. Since they lived about five miles apart, she was often helping both.
Over the years, she enjoyed their vacations and cruises. In the last 15 years, most vacations were spent on Cape Cod. She loved to sit on the beaches at The Lighthouse Inn and the adjoining town beach in West Dennis, reading, resting and enjoying the sun but never getting in the water.
Bonnie also enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, various arts and crafts, reading, old movies, game shows (of which she was very good at), and spending time with all of her family.
Everything changed in January of 2019 when cancer entered her life. The doctors often were amazed at what a fighter she was. In October of 2021 it became evident that she was starting to lose the fight.
The entire family is missing her but we know Bonnie is in a better place. On the bright side, we know that she leaves us with many wonderful memories. The year 2022 would mark their 60th year of marriage.
Bonnie’s wishes were for a private family funeral. Those arrangements are still being determined.
If lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to the Tolland Senior Center.