MARGARET B. ‘BONNIE' (DONLON)  CHERESNOWSKY

HORNELL - Margaret B. “Bonnie” Cheresnowsky, 73, of 1143 Haskell Rd., Hornell, died early Sunday morning (April 15, 2007) at home, following a long illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Hornell, she was born Feb. 17, 1934, the daughter of Harry and Elizabeth (Conklin) Donlon.

Bonnie graduated in the Hornell High School “illustrious” class of 1951, and later graduated from St. James School of Nursing, class of 1954. On June 11, 1955, she married George Cheresnowsky, who survives. She was employed as a registered nurse at St. James Mercy Hospital from 1954-1967. Continuing her nursing career, Bonnie was employed at Hornell Gardens from 1972-1980 and in 1980 returned to St. James Mercy Hospital, where she worked until her retirement in 1994.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church. She had been a member of the Altar & Rosary Society and also taught religious education. She served as Campfire Leader for several years and had also been involved with Boy Scouts of America. Bonnie had been a member of the Lincoln School PTA and was active in the Hornell High School Alumni Association. She was also a member of the Ladies of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of America. She also truly enjoyed nature, outdoors, gardening, bird watching and hiking up the creek with her grandchildren. A devoted Catholic and volunteer, Bonnie spent much of her time since retirement helping with church functions, various social activities around town, and cared for the sick and less fortunate.

Bonnie will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, and wonderful sister. She was always proud of the fact that she came from a large family and considered herself blessed by God to have been able to raise a large family of her own. To Bonnie, there was nothing more important on this earth than family.

In addition to her husband, surviving are three sons, John (Debbie) of Columbia, Md., Timothy (Mary) of Hornell and Thomas (Fran-Marie) of Hornell; four daughters, Mary Anne (Bill) Burger of Livonia, Kate (Roger) Gray of Caledonia, Sue (Monte) Hurd of Livonia and Monica Cheresnowsky of Hornell; two brothers, Joseph (Christine) Donlon of Hornell and Michael Donlon of Hornell; four sisters, Jacqueline (Jack) McGraw of Mattapoisett, Mass., Beverly Donlon of Horseheads, Elaine (Barry) Ceci of Rush and Elizabeth Donlon of Rochester; 11 grandchildren, George, Marla, Erin, April, Travis, Mark, Joshua, Kyle, Sarah, Megan and Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Brett and Dillion; her in-laws, Mary Spak, Millie Gates, Betty Cherron, Sam Satariano, Ted (Barbara) Cherron and Lillian (Bud) Howe; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Bonnie will also be sadly missed by Joanne Rohan, Erma Davis and Betty Blaire.

The family of Bonnie Cheresnowsky will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Bonnie's family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to either St. Ann's School, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the American Cancer Society, 1400 Winton Rd. North, Rochester, NY 14609 or to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.