Bonita Thiel Cutler

Bonni Cutler, age 80, of Wilmington, NC passed away on February 2, 2023. She was born in Macon, GA on April 11, 1942, to Francis and Marion Thiel. She is survived by her husband, James Cutler; sister, Nancy DiFlorio; daughter, Kelly Lee (John); and son, Jay Cutler (Wendy) and grandchildren, Audrey Lee, Allison Lee, Katelyn Cutler, and Christopher Cutler. A funeral service will be held at 11am, Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Coble Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens. The service will also be available via webcast. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Bonni’s name to the Native Plant Garden, in care of New Hanover County Arboretum or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coblegreenlawn.com Bonita Elizabeth Thiel, always known at “Bonni” was raised in Syracuse, NY and graduated from Solvay High School where she was a cheerleader and journalist. She received an Associate’s Degree in Retail from Rochester Institute of Technology. She met her husband, Jim, at a summer job at General Electric and they married in 1963. After living in Erie, PA, Ft. Gordon, GA, Ft. Eustis, VA, Louisville, KY, Utica, NY and Fort Lee, NJ, they were happy to settle in Summerville, SC in 1968, where her children where raised. Bonni was active as a leader at her children’s schools, becoming PTO President where her achievements were securing a new sidewalk for children to travel to school and new playground equipment. Bonni was the first woman to be appointed to the Dorchester County District #2 School Board and was later an elected member. She was instrumental in obtaining legislation for an elected, rather than appointed school boards in SC. She was a member of the first elected school board. She also became the Executive Director of the Summerville Chamber of Commerce and promoted tourism for Summerville. With her children in school, Bonni went back to Baptist College, now Charleston Southern, and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 1984, Bonni moved with her family to Marblehead MA, where she embarked on a career in Inventory Control and Production Management at several high-technology companies. In 1990, Bonni and Jim relocated to Wilmington where she was happy to be back in warmer climates. Bonni continued her career with Exide Electronics in Leland, until her retirement and becoming a grandmother in 1998. In retirement, Bonni was an active volunteer at both Arlie Gardens as a tour guide for many years, and at New Hanover County (NHC) Arboretum where she was a Master Gardener. Bonni was active as a hotline attendant answering all kinds of gardening questions, and as a mentor to new and aspiring Master Gardeners. She was a founding member of the Native Plant Garden at NHC Arboretum, selecting many of the original plants in the garden and expanding the native plant offerings at the annual plant sale. She often spoke about the benefits of native plants, providing literature and expertise to others. In 2022, Bonni received a plaque of recognition that is displayed in the Native Plant Garden at the NHC Arboretum. Many gardeners have plants that Bonni propagated and gave away, and she regularly exhibited her home garden on the Master Gardeners tour, always sharing her knowledge and love of plants. Bonni enjoyed reading, amassing a list of well over 2,000 titles she had read from the New Hanover library just on her Nook, and was active in the General Electric Retirees program. She enjoyed boating with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Cutler family.