Obituary of Bonnie Mae Bowersox
November 25, 1942 – April 7, 2025
Bonnie Mae Bowersox, a woman of intellect, adventure, and unwavering compassion for animals, passed away on April 7, 2025, at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey. She was 82 years old.
Born on November 25, 1942, in the Bronx, New York, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Ernest and Anna Bowersox. She spent her early childhood in the Bronx, where she first developed a lifelong love for animals. Each Sunday, her father would take Bonnie and her sister Barbara to the Bronx Zoo, where they’d bring bags of peanuts to feed the animals. Those frequent visits became a treasured family tradition, and the animals seemed to recognize the girls from week to week—something Barbara fondly recalls to this day.
At the age of seven, Bonnie’s family moved to River Edge, New Jersey. She graduated from River Dell High School and went on to attend Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History. Always intellectually curious and passionate about the arts, Bonnie later pursued a master’s degree in Journalism from Ohio State University.
Bonnie’s early career brought her to one of the most prestigious institutions in the art world—the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City—where she worked as a curator. Her time at MoMA was one of the great highlights of her professional life. Encouraged by a close friend, she later made the bold move to San Francisco in search of new opportunities. Although she never again found a museum position as coveted as MoMA, Bonnie continued to seek meaningful work at every stage of her life.
During the Vietnam War, she became a flight attendant with Saturn Airlines, where she served with professionalism and poise, traveling extensively during a complex time in American history. Eventually, she returned to River Edge to care for her aging parents, devoting herself fully to their needs in their final years—a reflection of her deep loyalty and love for her family.
Following their passing, Bonnie settled in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, where she lived for the remainder of her life. There, she worked as a recruiter for AARP, a role she truly enjoyed before her retirement.
Bonnie’s love for animals was a thread that ran throughout her life. It was never just a hobby—it was a calling. One of her most memorable experiences was a volunteer trip to Africa, arranged through the Bronx Zoo. For nearly a month, she lived in tents on a wildlife reserve, assisting in cataloging and counting animals—a trip that embodied her passion for conservation and the natural world.
Bonnie is survived by her devoted sister, Barbara Heim; her niece, Laurie Kulick; her husband, Scott; her nephew, Douglas Heim; and his wife, Janine. She was also a loving great-aunt to George, Julia, Brian, Katie, and Luke, all of whom brought her great pride and joy.
A memorial service to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be scheduled at a later date.
In honor of Bonnie’s lifelong devotion to animals, memorial donations may be made to the World Wildlife Federation (supporting the Bronx Zoo and global conservation efforts) or the American Heart Association.
Bonnie Mae Bowersox will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, sharp intellect, and quiet strength. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and curiosity that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.
