Una Bonner Obituary

Una Josephine Bonner, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, passed away on April 20, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona where she had been living recently. Born on March 28, 1938, in Elphin, County Roscommon, Ireland, Una was the youngest of John and Kate Tansey's six children. She attended the University of Galway before following her cousin Eleanor to Buffalo, New York, "just to see what it was like. " In 1965, she became a citizen of the United States, although never forgot her cherished Ireland. She met Brian Bonner in 1965, who was so smitten with the Irish lass that he brought his accordion in from his car to impress her. Their first date was on St. Patrick's Day. They were engaged two months later and by October 30 of the same year, the two were married. Una and Brian settled in Dearborn Heights to raise their four children. Una had a long career in the cable television industry, starting in Buffalo, and continuing with Continental Cablevision (now Comcast), where she won many awards. She was devoted to her husband, and was always his number one fan. For all her success at work, she always considered her loving family to be her greatest achievement. She enjoyed working and, in retirement, volunteering as a docent at The Henry Ford (Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum). She and Brian established lifelong friendships through both the boating and Irish communities. Una spent years dancing with Kitty's Ceili at the Gaelic League in Detroit and later started a new Ceili group in Cape Coral, Florida, where she and Brian spent many happy years in retirement. She could be found at many Irish events uniting dancers, selling tickets, organizing volunteers, and promoting musicians. Her devotion was recognized when she was named the Irish Pallottine Woman of the Year. She was Brian's First Mate in every sense of the word, whether on their boat, Turas Mara, at the Great Lakes Steel Boat Club, promoting Brian's Irish music or being there by his side as he preceded her to Heaven. She was also predeceased by her siblings Joseph, Breen, Mary, Sean, and Martin. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Mary (Bonner) Gramaglia and Mary Tansey; children Brian (Stephanie), Kevin (Amy), Fr. Sean and Mary Kate (Andre); grandchildren Brendon, Olivia, Liam, Patrick, Daniel, Marybeth, Zander, Callie, and Griffin; and great grandchild Oliver. A visitation service for Una will be held on Monday, May 15, at Harry J. Will Funeral Homes, 34567 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, Michigan 48184, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with a scripture service at 7:00 PM. Her funeral mass will be Tuesday, May 16, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave. , Wayne, Michigan 48184. The funeral mass will be live streamed at www. stmarywayne. org. Una will be interred next to Brian at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, in a service following the funeral mass beginning at 1:30 PM. Contributions in Una's memory may be made to St. Patrick's Senior Center, 558 Parsons St. , Detroit, Michigan 48201 (https://stpatsrctr. org/); and Irish Pallottine Fathers, 424 Orange St. , Wyandotte, Michigan 48192 (https://www. irishpallottines. org/). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. harryjwillfuneralhome. com.