Elizabeth Mary Bonner

Elizabeth Brennan Bonner “Lil”, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2017, at the age of 97. Born on April 7, 1920, Lil was a native of New Jersey and lived in Atlanta before moving to Jacksonville in 1953. She graduated from Kearny High School and began working at the General Electric Company. During this time, she was voted Miss General Electric. Lil was trained in voice by John Quinlan of NYC, the noted teacher of Frank Sinatra. She sang with numerous dance bands in New York and New Jersey including the Harry James Band. During WWII, Lil entertained with the USO at the Northern New Jersey Stage Door Canteen. During one performance with the Carl Madison Band, she caught the eye of the band’s drummer, Ozzie Bonner. They began dating and were married on September 16, 1950 and moved to Atlanta with Prudential. In 1953 they moved to Jacksonville where Ozzie had been transferred to assist in the opening of the Prudential South Central Home Office. Lil and Ozzie were founding members of San Jose Catholic Church where she served as a Greeter at the early Mass on Sundays.

Lil enjoyed playing golf with her husband and friends. She was a former member of the Deerwood and Ponte Vedra Clubs. She was an active member of the San Jose Country Club where she belonged to the San Jose Ladies Golf Association and the San Jose Yacht Club. Lil met many wonderful golfers at various courses through her membership in the Jacksonville Women’s Golf Association. Lil was an avid bridge player and played weekly until the age of 95 in several bridge groups.

Lil was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine Brennan; her husband of 59 years, Oscar Bonner; her sister, Eileen Brennan; and her brother, John F. Brennan. She is survived by her loving daughters, Eileen Bain (Tom) and Colleen Frick (Steve). Lil adored her grandchildren, Caroline Frick Harby (Will), Stephen Frick, Jr. (Olivia), and Catherine Bain Powell (Winston). She was blessed to have three great-grandchildren, Stephen Frick, III (Finn), Elle Frick, and Henry Harby. She is also survived by her close cousin, Eileen Goldman (Mike).

Lil was a wonderful and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend. She treasured her career as wife and mom and loved cooking and baking for family and friends. Lil will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her crystal blue eyes and her loving wink.

A Mass of Celebration will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. at San Jose Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to L’Arche Jacksonville on Arlington Road, or River Garden on Old St. Augustine Road. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at River Garden for their excellent and loving care.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville www.hardagegiddensoaklawn.com.