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Obituary for Shirley D. Bonaker (Devine)

Shirley D. Bonaker (née Devine), 90, of Upper Southampton, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020. Shirley was the daughter of the late Verne and Jessie Love (Heenan) Devine. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur J. Bonaker, son, Michael, and sister, Marjorie D. Pascale. Shirley is survived by her children, Catherine Slavin (John), Margaret Pinto (Edward), Arthur “Joe”, Jr. (Susan), Frances, and Thomas (Scott Hopping); grandchildren, Julianne Francis (Roger), Michelle Pitcher (Travis), Stephen, and Rebecca; great-grandchildren, Eleanor, William, Parker, and Payton; sister-in-law, Mary B. Nowak; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Born in Kingston, Luzerne County, Shirley grew up all across the Commonwealth. A college-educated suburban woman voter, Shirley attended Temple University and graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, where she “always was in a hurry to get to classes.” She worked at a diner while in college, once memorably waiting on J.D. Salinger, and later worked for the Social Security Administration, an executive recruiting firm, and a local real estate firm in Southampton before retiring. Shirley loved the Phillies, the Eagles, Penn State football, horse racing, cryptograms, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. She was a voracious reader, wickedly funny, and kept a prayer list a mile long. “Great” doted on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving behind three generations with broken, aching hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 12PM via Live Stream from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Attendance at Church is limited to family only. A Life Celebration for Shirley will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Shirley D. Bonaker may be sent to the Bethanna Food Pantry (https://bethanna.org/about/jesus-focus-ministry-food-pantry-bethanna/) or to the Philadelphia COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (https://phlrentassist.org/donate/).

Condolences may be sent to Shirley’s family by visiting www.McGheeFuneralHome.com
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