Mary C. Bonavia

Mary Catherine Bonavia, 78, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Mary was born on September 28, 1947, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Harry Notari and Grace Huff. She graduated from Harlem high school, Class of 1965 and later attended Rock Valley College. Mary married Michael P. Bonavia on June 10, 1967, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Loves Park.

Mary was a longtime member of St. James Catholic Church in Rockford where she and her family were often called on to present the gifts for Mass. She worked and cared for many people during her career as an EKG tech at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She also did volunteer work at St. Anthony for over 30 years and received the President’s Call to Service Award for it. Mary was an excellent cook and loved taking in the beauty of the outdoors and animals in nature. She enjoyed playing games on her computer and spending time with her cat, Pumpkin. Mary’s family was the most important and center of her life and she will be dearly missed.

Surviving relatives include her husband, Michael Bonavia; son, Joseph (Kari) Bonavia; grandchildren, Alexander and Nicholas Bonavia, Michael and Jacob Redmond; sister, Suzy (Jim) Vivian; brothers, Charles (Terry) Hunt and Allen (Arian) Ebert; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Harry Notari and Grace Ebert; her daughter, Mary Anne Bonavia and a brother, Robert Graham.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff of OSF Palliative Care and OSF Hospice. Their kindness and care given to Mary is truly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Rockford Rescue Mission and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford. Visitation will be held in the Beauvais Hall from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will conclude in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

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