Obituary of Thelma Guenther Bonzek

Thelma was the daughter of Dora and Fred Guenther and was born in Brewerton on the John Ladd farm in 1923. She started school in a one room schoolhouse and at 5 ½ years of age the family moved to 307 Carlton Rd., Syracuse, New York.  She attended Roberts Elementary,  Bellevue, and Central High School where she was captain of the tennis team and the first girl to be sports editor on the Recorder, the high school paper.  She earned a Bachelor of Music Education and piano major from Syracuse University.  She was a member of Theta Phi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Pi Lambda Theta. 

She taught music for 2 years in Chenango Forks and two years in Skaneateles.  These were the WWII years and the sweetheart of her life, Joseph W. Bonzek, came home from the war.  They had written to each other for 3 years before meeting in person.  They married, and Thelma remained home to care for Joseph Michael, Terry Anne and Christopher Fred.

She had a chance to attend Dr. Robert Newman’s masters program at Syracuse University and was fortunate to be able to teach kindergarten at Seymour Elementary School for 15 years.  These were extra special years.  Thelma’s brother, Paul died during this time in 1980.

Joe and she both retired the same year, 1984, and spent a lot of time visiting children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in various states.  They also attended the Ranger and the 1st Special Force reunions in both Canada and the United States.  Joe had served in both units during the war.

Thelma taught piano lessons for many years of her life and loved it.  Tennis and golf and all sports were part of her life.  She loved playing the piano at Francis House where her beloved Joe had received such love the last three weeks of his life.  He died in October 2012.

She loved people. She had many caring and special friends that meant so much to her. She touched many lives, even during her last few weeks at Brookdale Assisted Living in Manlius.

She is survived by children, Joseph Michael of Atlanta, Georgia, Terry Anne (Stan) Harris of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Christopher (Mary) Bonzek of Newport News, VA, grandchildren; Anne, Stephanie, Kraig, Alyssa, Matt, Caroline, and Emily, stepchildren; Stephanie, Jason, Jordan, great grandchildren; Bowie, Samatha, Niva, Luke, Lila, James, Penny, Claire, Harrison, and Sawyer Joe, many nieces and nephews, and chosen grandchildren, Dan, Meghan and Mary Farrell.

Love was her favorite word.  She said take all the words out of the dictionary and leave that word, and perhaps there would be peace in the world.

A memorial service will be held at a future date. 

Donations in her memory may be made to Most Holy Rosary Church, Francis House, and Hospice of CNY.