Lenore A. Bonini

Lenore was born at Kearsarge on April 16, 1936, to Emily (Heikkinen) and Felix Mattila, the fifth of seven children. She grew up in Traprock, attended Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools, and graduated with the class of 1954, a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating, Lenore moved to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where she worked for the Allis Chalmers Company. Lenore married Roy Bonini December 4, 1954. Their daughter, Bonee was born in LaCrosse and their son, Brian was born after the family moved to Lake Linden.

Lenore worked for the state of Michigan for many years, the Copper Country Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Hancock, the Michigan Employment Security Commission in Hancock, and the Western UP District Health Department, first in Laurium, and later in Hancock, until her retirement in 1998.

Lenore belonged to organizations throughout her life, including the Business and Professional Women’s Organization and the Bootjack Belles chapter of the Red Hat Society. For many years, she also had fun attending regular get-togethers known as “Club,” with her lifelong girlfriends.

Lenore and Roy were enthusiastic about sailing and often sailed Lake Superior together. They owned a series of sailboats: Driftwood, Aquarius, Tonic, and the splendid 2-masted Lotus. Lenore was always the agile “crew,” raising and lowering the sails, and making the leap from the boat to the dock to tie off wherever they came ashore. Lenore and Roy made many friends among the boaters of the Copper Country and beyond. With friends, they enjoyed a vacation sailing in the Bahamas. They were members of the Onigaming Yacht Club for many years and were active in the club’s sailing activities.

In addition to sailing, Lenore and Roy enjoyed travel by car, train, plane, bus, and cruise ship. They visited all 50 states, also, Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa. They had memorable visits to many islands, including Easter Island, Tahiti, and the Galapagos. A highlight of their travel experience was a river cruise from Amsterdam to the Black Sea.

Lenore was a strong swimmer and diver, loved to entertain, and most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at the lake. She liked to work the New York Times crossword puzzles, and created many crafts, including dolls, quilts, baskets, and crocheted items. Lenore was a friend to everyone she met. She is often remembered for her kindness and for her stunning blue eyes.

Lenore was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Betty (Wilbert) Anderson; and her brothers, Fred (Mary Lou) Mattila, and Harvey (Betty) Mattila. Lenore was also preceded in death by her sisters- and brothers-in law, Robert Sorvala, Ruth and Eino (Mickey) Malgren, Lilian and George Sarazin, Alberta and Bernard St. Andre, Albert (Bob) Bonini and Dorothy Delf Bonini, James (Sparky) and Bette Bonini, Eleanor and Robert Weber, and Charles and Paulette Bonini.

Surviving Lenore are her husband, Roy, Princess Point; her daughter, Bonee Bonini (Doug Gill), Lake Linden; her son, Brian (Belinda) Bonini, Houghton; her grandchildren, Brandon Bonini, PA, Josey Aalto (Jessica Pascoe), Marquette, Brittany Bonini (Ryan Shomo), PA, and step-granddaughter, Amber (Steven) Morningstar, Pennsylvania; her great-grandchildren, Brooke Bonini, Raelyn Ward, Ernest Aalto, Everett Aalto, Jordan Bonini, Emmett Aalto, and Lachlan Shomo.

Lenore is also survived by her sisters, Barbara (Joseph) Reilly, Florence (Robert) Sorvala, Lois (Weldon) Gaulin; sister-in-law, Betty Mattila; and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lenore’s family is grateful to the Bootjack First Responders, the Mercy Ambulance crew, and the staff at UP Health System – Portage, UP Health System Home Care and Hospice, and Canal View for the outstanding care she was given.

Visitation for Lenore will be held at the Pearce Funeral Home, in Lake Linden, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 14. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet, with Pastor Eric Falker to officiate. Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com.