Bonnie June Bartolini-Trott

Bonnie was born on April 24, 1959 in Framingham, MA to Eleanor H. (Connery) and the late Benjamin A. Bartolini, of Framingham and Eastham, and most recently of Delray Beach, FL. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, Bonnie spent summers on the outer Cape with her 3 older siblings at their family’s summer cottage near Sunken Meadow Beach in Eastham. Back in Framingham, Bonnie attended Hastings elementary school and eventually Framingham North Highschool where she graduated in 1977.

Since she was a child she had aspirations of being a teacher. She followed through on those dreams by majoring in special education at Bridgewater State College where she graduated in 1981. She would later return to Bridgewater State College and earn her masters in education in 1998. Teaching special education was her passion, and her students became family as she guided them towards their own path of success in education and life.

Bonnie started her career in 1981 at Latham Centers in Brewster, as a special education teacher and supervisor for the female students in the residential program. She continued to teach at Latham Centers through 1993, at which point she transitioned to a full time teaching position at Nauset Regional High School by the start of the 1994 school year. After 40 years of being a special needs educator Bonnie retired in 2022, but continued to substitute on occasion and was happy to do so.

In 1991, Bonnie fell in love with Tim Trott of Dennis, and were married in Eastham on September 11, 1993 and just celebrated 32 years of marriage last month. Bonnie’s other great loves included live music, dancing, gardening, baking, and of course the beaches of the Outer Cape. As the life of the party and hostess with the mostess, she knew how to make people feel welcome, entertained, and taken care of in her home.

In addition to her students, Bonnie also raised two children of her own, Hannah and Gina. She instilled in them the confidence and independence to become creative, headstrong and empathetic adults. She was their biggest cheerleader, supporting them in all of their endeavors, and sharing their accomplishments with anyone and everyone. Many remember her as the best gift giver, and in her passing she bestowed several final and life-saving gifts to individuals she never knew, in the form of organ donation.

She is survived by her mother Eleanor Bartolini of Delray Beach, FL; her husband Tim; her children Hannah and partner Silas, and Gina and partner Phaedra; her sister Brenda Benoit and husband James; her brother Bruce Bartolini and wife Elaine; her brother Barry Bartolini; her first cousins Karen Riechers, Anthony and Charles Bartolini on her father’s side, and Carolyn Caradonna, Beverly Mallon, and Richard West on her mother’s side; in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins, life-long friends, and former students. She was predeceased by her father, Benjamin Bartolini, her mother-in-law Carol Trott, and her older sister Laura who died in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bonnie’s memory to Cape Abilities and Latham Centers. Calling hours and visitation will be held on Friday, October 24th from 4-8pm at Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans. There will be graveside service for family and friends on Saturday, October 25th at 1pm at Evergreen Cemetery in Eastham, and a Celebration of Life party to follow at the Orleans-Eastham Elks Club at 2:30pm.

Bonnie’s loved ones will remember her as a force of nature who led with a big heart; an intelligent woman who was effortlessly chic and hilarious, who sought out the beautiful and romantic in everyday life; a truly loyal friend and compassionate being who never knew a stranger.