Bonnie was born and raised in Norwood, N.Y. She was part of a large family with seven brothers and sisters. It was an atmosphere of laughing, jokes, and pranks. It is this upbringing that fostered her wonderful sense of humor.
She met her husband, Joseph Lamando, while he was in college and she was working at a local restaurant called the Quonset Hut. They were married on Aug. 10, 1963.
In September of 1963, Joe took a job at General Electric in Lynn, and they settled in Nahant. They spent two years in Germany while Joe served in the Army. During their time together in Germany they learned the importance of friends, culture, family, laughter, and adventure. They traveled around Europe in their Volkswagen bus with two babies and saw all the sites, and they matured as a couple. In 1967, they moved back to Nahant where they lived the life they dreamed.
Bonnie was the true center and organizer of family and friend gatherings where she welcomed everyone to the comforts of their front porch and home, and became the mother and grandmother to generations of children. Bonnie was quick with a joke, always ready to host a party, play the piano, and play any game at any time. She was clever, she was compassionate, and she was fun. She had the ability to connect with everyone and make them feel special.
Bonnie was the beloved daughter of Sealy and Elsie Buck, both deceased, and was survived by her husband and best friend, Joseph Lamando; her devoted sons, Michael Lamando and Tom Lamando and his wife Patti; and her loving daughter, Kristen Lamando, and her husband Charles Waelde, all of Nahant; three grandsons, William Todisco of Los Angeles, Nicholas Lamando of Nahant, and T.J. Lamando of New York City. Bonnie was also survived by five siblings, Lawrence Buck and wife Roxanne, Janice Harris and husband Darwin, Gretchen Rowland and husband Donald, Ellen Alfonsi and husband Rick, Peter Buck and wife Andrea, and her sister-in-law, Peggy Buck. She was preceded in death by her sister Sharon van der Els (1984) and her brother Steve Buck (2017).
Following the passing of her sister Sharon, Bonnie became the true matriarch of her family and embraced the role of surrogate mother to her nieces and nephews Bonnie, Ria, Mathew, Mitch, and Michael van der Els. She was “Grammy” to Paul, Abbie, Grace, Jackson, Charlie, and Luke. Bonnie is also survived by several nieces and nephews who each had unique special relationships with her.
Bonnie had countless friends who she has left behind, or have predeceased her, who were intertwined as family and cultivated through more than 50 years in Nahant and 35 years spending time in Naples, Fla. Bonnie was a true friend, opening her house to countless celebrations and of course, the annual Christmas Party, where she loved to play the piano and sing into the night.
Bonnie loved to play golf and mah jong with friends. She also loved to travel. She sang in the church choir and was also a big Red Sox fan. She loved to make personalized crafts for all of her friends and family. She took special joy in singing and reading to children. She will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. at CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Nahant Village Church, 27 Cliff St., Nahant. In Bonnie’s memory, donations are suggested to a local service organization that specializes in enriching the lives of others.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18