Gloria Ann Bonali

Aug 30th, 1931 - Feb 6th, 2014
16 Guests

Service:

Thu, Feb. 13th, 2014 10:00am

Burial:

Thu, Feb. 13th, 2014 11:00am

Harrisburg- Gloria Ann Bonali of Harrisburg, formerly of Herrin, a retired educator, passed away at 11:52pm on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at her home in Harrisburg. She was 82 years of age.

Gloria was born on August 30, 1931 in Freeman Spur, the daughter of the late Vincent and Josie (Amati) Bonali. She had lived thirty three years in New Paltz, NY. Before retiring as Professor Emeritus, she taught at the State University of New York, College at New Paltz, NY. She moved to Conway, South Carolina upon retirement where she resided for eighteen years before moving back to Southern Illinois.

Ms. Bonali was of Roman Catholic faith. She was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church of Harrisburg.

Ms. Bonali was an active advocate for senior citizens working with the South Carolina AARP, the South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature, and the National Silver Haired Congress. She served on several South Carolina state-wide advisory committees including the Governor’s Task Force for Home and Community Based Services, the Medicare Beneficiary Liaison Advisory Committee, the Department of Health and Human Services Medical Care Advisory Committee, the Department of Health and Human Services Choices Grant Advisory Committee, the South Carolina Client-Centered Elderly Long Term Care Steering Committee, and the South Carolina Silver Card Advisory Board. Locally, she served as a member of the Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, and the Waccamaw AAA Caregiver Support Program Advisory Committee. Gloria was a member of the Ladies Guild of the Catholic Church of Saint James and a graduate of the Leadership Grand Stand XVII.

Her sister- Felicia Hearn of Elmhurst, five nieces, two nephews, five great nephews, three great nieces, and one great great niece survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother- William Bonali.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Inurnment will follow at SanCarloCemetery in Herrin. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with arrangements.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Harrisburg or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL62948.

For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com

 

 

16 Guestbook Messages

  • Guest: Lee PERRY ROY

    From: CROWLEY, Louisiana

    Date: February 9, 2014

    Felacie Hearn Hi I am
    Lee Perry Roy .I WAS A member of NSHC for about 7 years. Will miss her.you have our condolence. Lee@ Effie Roy [email protected]

  • Guest: Lloyd H. Steen

    From: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

    Date: February 9, 2014

    To Gloria’s Family,

    I am so sorry to hear of Gloria’s death. Gloria was a special lady and will be missed by everyone who knew her. She fought her illness with courage and dignity, and now she has found peace.

    My deepest sympathy,
    Lloyd H. Steen
    Member of the National Silver Haired Congress

  • Guest: Norm Bungard

    From: St Petersburg , Florida

    Date: February 9, 2014

    I know Gloria from National Silver Haired Congress meetings. Her insight on topics about seniors and non seniors alike are what I recall. Her insight and kind nature are most memorable.
    To her family go my condlences.

  • Guest: Dallas Knudson

    From: West Fargo, North Dakota

    Date: February 9, 2014

    To the Family & Friends of Gloria Bonali:

    We were saddened to get the news of Gloria’s death. We know that she had been fighting cancer for some years and the struggle was getting more difficult.

    Gloria had the respect of many friends in the National Silver Haired Congress. No doubt she had the respect of students and colleagues in her academic life in higher education. Gloria was a “people” person and was very definitely a professional. She held high standards for herself. Gloria gave her “best” for any assignment, or any service. Seniors were important. The quality of life and concerns for our senior population, were foremost in the latter 20 years of her life.

    During her term as President of the Silver Senate, Gloria saw the need to offer sessions for the Senate members, to “brainstorm” solutions. Gloria was knowledgeable in resources, government programs, and the experience of working on many Boards and Committees providing services to seniors. She was an asset to be on a committee and did her research diligently.

    There is no way we can judge how many senior lives were touched or affected by Gloria’s leadership. We do know that Gloria’s willingness to serve in an advocacy role on behalf of seniors made a difference. Gloria was a positive role model and a positive influence. Gloria’s leadership will be remembered.

    Dallas Knudson, Secretary
    National Silver Haired Congress
    Senate President
    National Silver Haired Congress

    Warner Knudson
    House Speaker Pro-tempore
    National Silver Haired Congress

  • Guest: wesley m cutler jr

    From: charleston, South Carolina

    Date: February 10, 2014

    Farewell to a beautiful and loving person.you will be missed.

    Wesley M Cutler Jr (SCSHL)

  • Guest: Hannah Timmons

    From: Columbia, South Carolina

    Date: February 10, 2014

    Gloria and I worked together on many issues, most of them elder issues. We first met as AARP volunteers and later were together in the South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature and in the National Silver Haired Congress. I became accustomed to running everything by Gloria before taking any position or putting anything on paper. I will miss being able to iron out nitty-gritty details with her.

  • Guest: DON YONCE / SALLY HOWARD

    From: MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina

    Date: February 10, 2014

    GLORIA was a great and gracious LADY. SHE was
    instrumental in founding The Silver Haired Legislature
    in SC. She was Speaker of the House at it’s inception
    and a major contributor. A good Democrat as well.
    She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

  • Guest: Pat J. Porter

    From: Big Spring, Texas

    Date: February 10, 2014

    Worked with Gloria for many years in National Silver Haired Congress. Had great respect for her thoughtful consideration of issues. She will be missed by us at our next Legislative Session.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Gloria’s family in this trying time.

  • Guest: Marjorie L. Johnson

    From: Columbia, South Carolina

    Date: February 10, 2014

    Rest in Eternal Peace, Gloria. Your work is done and a Great Job it was. I join the many Seniors who are grateful for your tireless contributions toward dignity in retirement life.

  • Guest: Lewis and Juretta Marshall

    From: San Antonio, Texas

    Date: February 10, 2014

    Gloria has a place in our memory as a dedicated servant to humankind. Her committed work on behalf
    of seniors made an impact on all of us. Our deepest
    sympathy.

    Lewis and Juretta Marshall

  • Guest: Joe Dewees

    From: , Illinois

    Date: February 11, 2014

    With sympathy to family. I was a student at Herrin High School during her time teaching there early in her career . A very accomplished athlete as evidenced by her membership in the SIU athletic hall of fame.

  • Guest: Kenny and Marion Bingham

    From: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

    Date: February 11, 2014

    Gloria was a Great Lady. May you rest in Peace. A true advocate for seniors issues. She was instrumental in making the SCSHL what it is today. I worked with her in the Waccamaw Caucus of the SCSHL and also on the State Board. Her knowledge and tireless efforts will be missed.

  • Guest: Rev. Richard K. Giffen

    From: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

    Date: February 11, 2014

    We are so proud of Gloria Ann Bonali and the contribution of her life and wise counsel to the Silver Haired Legislature of South Carolina. Her wisdom and strong leadership as Speaker of the SCSHL provided guidance in our early formation as well as in recent years. God continue with her and her family.

  • Guest: Ervena Faulkner

    From: Port Royal, South Carolina

    Date: February 13, 2014

    It was Gloria who demonstrated the need to work on behalf of seniors. Not only did she demonstrate, she had a passion for making sure those of us who worked with her showed love as we labored

  • Guest: Hubert M. Rentz

    From: Winnsboro, South Carolina

    Date: February 14, 2014

    I really enjoyed getting to know Gloria…She was a very unique lady..She always had much to offer during our SC Silver Haired Legislative sessions. She was a joy to be around. I’m glad that I was able to be part of her life. She will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.

  • Guest: Mary Venegoni Miller

    From: Downers Grove, Illinois

    Date: February 18, 2014

    Miss Bonali was my PE teacher at HTHS back in the ’50′s. She was a lady who encouraged girls to be all they could be and was very supportive. I have thought of her over the years and now know by the obituary that she went on to great success and did great advocacy work. I am sure the family will miss her great wide smile which I remember well.