Bonnie M. Montagnese, 61, Talented Baker

Bonnie was born in Lorain on December 25, 1959 and had been a resident of Brownhelm Township for the past thirty-eight years; she had previously resided in Elyria.

She was a graduate of Clearview High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, played drums in the marching band, and ran on the varsity track team. Following graduation, she attended Lorain County Community College for three years as a student in the school’s nursing program.

Bonnie was a talented baker and found her true career niche as a cake decorator and retail bakery manager. She had been employed in that capacity by the Kroger Company, Muller Food Products, Finast, and Tops grocery stores; she was a long-time member of BCTGM Union Local 19. Her baking and decorating skills continued beyond her employment at the commercial stores and frequently found her preparing cakes and cupcakes to celebrate special events for family and friends.

Bonnie was a parishioner of Nativity BVM Catholic Church in South Amherst where she sang in the church choir.

She was deeply devoted to her family and often described as selfless by those who knew her. She always put the needs of others before her own. When not involved in baking projects, she enjoyed gardening, fairy gardening, and spending time enjoying the swimming pool that she and her husband recently completed. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Brownhelm Community Christmas program. Undoubtedly, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and, most especially, her seven grandchildren.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Ronald with whom she recently celebrated forty years of marriage, daughter Melissa Swartz (Timothy) of Westerville, Ohio, son Jesse Montagnese (Jessica) of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, grandchildren Cecilia, Lucia, Hannah, Jonah, Lucas, Logan, and Samuel, brother James Tapper (Cynthia) of South Amherst, and sisters Carol Solak (Dan) of Lorain, Darlene Dore (Tony) of Vermilion, and Janet Hancock (Robert) also of Vermilion.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gustave and Irene (nee Forthofer) Tapper.

Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Bonnie’s family respectfully requests that all visitors wear facial coverings during the gathering. Funeral services will be Tuesday beginning with closing prayers offered in the funeral chapel at 11:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 noon in St. Joseph Catholic Church – 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Reverend Timothy O’Connor, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

To share your memories, please visit www.gluvna.net.