Bonnie Doris Smith-Peterson, loved by many
Bonnie Doris Smith-Peterson went to heaven Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born June 2, 1938, daughter of the late Morris "Tuffy" Smith and Ella Mitchell-Smith, and was raised in Lewes. Bonnie graduated from Lewes High School in 1957. In 1958, she married William "Bill" Peterson, who was stationed in Lewes with the U.S. Coast Guard.
During her youth, she was a girl scout, a 4-H member, a majorette, and a contestant in the Miss Lewes Pageant. Bonnie was a homemaker, a Brownie Scout leader, a CNA at Beebe Hospital and ran a home daycare. Her talents included cake decorating, candy making, crocheting, gardening and ceramics. She enjoyed her backyard pool, which she shared with family, neighbors, friends and daycare children. Her best quality was that she always tried to do the best she could for everyone including her family, her daycare kids and anyone else. Time spent with family was what Bonnie treasured more than anything. Loved by many, she will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know her.
In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her grandparents Murray and Elizabeth Joseph; and her brother Melvin Smith. She is survived by her loving husband, William J. Peterson; her children: Cynthia L. Prange and her husband Ralph of Dover, Patricia J. Deel and her husband Larry of Virginia Beach, Va.; and her son, William D. Peterson of Milford; her grandchildren: Alysa Zentz, Jennifer Diego and her husband Joe, Michael Pennington and his wife Lexi, Maj. Jared Zentz and his wife Maj. Kellie Zentz, Tara Gonzalez and her husband Ian, Brian Pennington, and Tanner Peterson; her great-grandchildren: Kendal and Audrey Sawyer, Madyson, Makenzie and Morgan Diego, Kaleb Sawyer, and Elijah and Ellie Gonzalez; and her sister, Joy Smith-Dameron.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to Beebe Healthcare Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Mrs. Peterson's Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
