Cecile P. Bonte, 83, died peacefully in her Dallas home on April 16, 2020 with loving family members at her bedside. Cecile was a devoted wife, mother, nurse, community volunteer, fundraiser and church member – but most of all a woman of great dignity, grace, grit, love and kindness. These qualities were on full display even in her final days as her two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer came to an end, rarely making mention of the pain she suffered and retaining her quick wit to the last. She will always be remembered for her devout Catholic faith, her strength in the face of difficultly, her unending love for her family and her boundless energy.
Cecile, known as “Cile” to her friends, was born on March 24, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI to George and Anita (Ullrich) Poetzel. While raising six children, she earned her nursing degree in 1979 from Texas Women’s University in Denton, graduating with honors. Later she worked as a nurse at the former Robert H. Dedman Medical Center, where she became Director of Medical and Surgical Nursing. In her long health care career, she also was executive director of the Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas for seven years and was senior vice president of a national home health care company.
Cecile also built a long volunteer resume, which began in her early days of motherhood serving as a scout leader, St. Monica School algebra teacher and in many other roles. She held leadership posts in the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance and the Faculty Women’s Club of UT Southwestern Medical Center, where her husband, Dr. Frederick J. Bonte, founded the radiology department and had a 56-year career. A lover of science and education, Cecile served several years on the board of The Science Place in Fair Park and was underwriting chair for the opening of the IMAX Theater. But her largest volunteer contributions were at the Dallas Opera and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, both of which she served for decades. As a member and past president (1994-95) of the Dallas Opera Guild, she worked as a puppeteer with the traveling puppet theater, chaired the wine auction Vintage Dallas, co-chaired the Adopt-an-Artist program, chaired the Sweetheart Gala and helped organize the Vocal Competitions, among other things.
Last year the Dallas Opera designated her an honorary lifetime director “for her longstanding support and service.” Cecile was also a passionate supporter of the Dallas Arboretum, joining the board more than 20 years ago, serving multiple terms, and working on numerous events and committees. Her most significant role was that of capital campaign chair of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, for which she tirelessly spearheaded the raising of nearly $60 million to build the project during turbulent economic times. Because of her work, the Life Cycles gallery in the children’s garden was named for her, and she was later named Board Member Emeritus.
In 2010, she was named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Cecile also had vast hobbies and interests over the years, including calligraphy, cooking, swimming and gardening, and looked forward each year to planting her tomato garden in the backyard, and hundreds of caladium bulbs in the front. Her yard was several times named “Yard of the Month” by her neighborhood association. Cecile also cherished her golden retrievers and had many happy memories of traveling the world with her beloved, Frederick, to whom she was married for 48-years at the time of his death in 2016.
Her favorite hobby, however, was singing in the choir of St. Monica Catholic Church, where she was a member of the alto section for nearly 50 years. Named for St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, Cecile loved attending choir practice every Wednesday night, singing at mass on Sunday mornings and Holy Days, performing in special concerts for Christmas and July 4th, and participating in lively church dinner theater productions in which she loved dressing up in costumes. But of all her interests and accomplishments, Cecile was dedicated to her family most of all.
She was a devoted wife to Frederick, a thoughtful and loving mother, a treasured grandmother and a caring sister. She was always there when needed, and never hesitated to drop what she was doing for a family member’s sake. In addition to her husband, Cecile is preceded in death by her parents, brother David Poetzel, of Milwaukee; and her son-in-law, William Horn, of Dallas. She is survived by her son Frederick W. Bonte of Dallas; daughter, Therese (David) West of West Chester, PA; son Stephen (Jane) Belli of Dallas; daughter Suzanne Horn of Dallas; son John Belli of Seattle, WA; daughter Anne (Isvaldo) Perez of Dallas; sister Mary Ann Fritsch, brother Thomas Poetzel, brother Michael Poetzel and sister Mary Beth (Gary) Geipel, all of Milwaukee, WI. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Monica Catholic Church, the Dallas Opera or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Cecile’s immediate family has planned a private inurnment. A Rosary and Memorial Mass for extended family and friends is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St Monica Catholic Church follow by memorial mass at 10:30 AM.
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