Veronica L. Bonino

Veronica was driven by her love of family, friends, food, travel, and service. In 1969, she received a B.A. in Education from Loretto Heights College (Denver, CO) before embarking on a 30 year teaching career in the Kansas City School District. In 1976, she earned a Master’s Degree in Education from UMKC. Later she would earn subspecialty certifications in both reading and gifted and talented education. She touched countless children's lives teaching second grade, those with special educational needs, and later in the gifted and talented program.

She met her husband, Newton Bonino, while working downtown part-time at the Italian Gardens restaurant. They were married in 1971, and remained close throughout her life. Their sons, John Anthony and Nicholas, were born in 1975 and 1979. They raised their family in south Kansas City Missouri’s Red Bridge area, and later moved to Leawood, KS. Her boys were her life, and you would frequently find her encouraging them at a sports game or club event.

Veronica’s love of travel brought her all over the world from visiting relatives in Italy, to snorkeling in Hawaii. She travelled extensively in the U.S., and explored many of our country’s natural wonders with the National Geographic Teacher’s Association.

Veronica had an innate sense of how to build a community, organizing meetups and events for new and old friends. This would include friends from grade school, high school, college, and her neighborhood. She cherished meeting with her book club, catching up with friends over lunch, and giving back to the community through the St. Michael’s soup kitchen.

Her ability to connect and care for people was striking whether you were a close family member, a fellow cancer survivor, or someone who shared her love of dogs. Veronica was a fierce advocate for her children, and was tireless in her efforts to ensure they were able to follow their dreams.

In 2009, and later 2012, she welcomed two grandchildren (Michael and Gianna) whom she absolutely adored. On any given weekend in her retirement, you would likely find her carrying a portable chair or bleacher seat to a soccer field, baseball diamond, or volleyball court. She greatly enjoyed cooking a variety of traditional Italian dishes and desserts that would always make a routine Sunday dinner feel like a holiday.

She is survived by her sons, John Anthony Bonino (Rebekah) and Nicholas Bonino; grandchildren, Michael and Gianna Bonino; former spouse, Newton A. Bonino; uncle, Marion Brancato; first-cousins, JoAnn Cannova (Joseph), Stefani Brancato, and Andrea Vovk (Frank); companion, Fred Livermore; brother, Stephen John Lipari (Wanda); and many more special nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the excellent care of the physicians, nurses, certified aides, and technicians of both the University of Kansas Health System and the Kansas City Hospice House.

Veronica's visitation will be 6:30 - 8:30pm on Thursday, April 11 at McGilley State Line Chapel. Her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon on Friday, April 12 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 14251 Nall Avenue, Leawood, KS. The committal service will immediately follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO.