Bonnie Ann Gifford was born New Year’s Eve in 1942, in Plainview, New Jersey to Charles Boettger and Frances (Winship) Boettger.
Bonnie met her husband Roy at a dance at the local YMCA. Many ladies at the dance were vying for his attention and fighting over him; ultimately Bonnie would become the envy of the ball when Roy laid eyes on her, and the rest is history!
Bonnie would go on to have two children; her daughter Nancy (Todd) Wilson, and her son Christopher Gifford. In turn, she later became a grandmother to Alex (Paige) and Connor (Alyssa) Wilson. Family was the very cornerstone of Bonnie’s life, the defining principle of her attitude and the way she carried herself; family was the shining focus in the spotlight of Bonnie’s love. Whether she was being a stay-at-home-mom, a leader for Girl Scouts, or a den leader for Boy Scouts, she was a rock, a constant reassuring presence both within the home and beyond. If anybody had a question or needed advice, she could be counted on to have the answer or to give comforting advice. Whenever Bonnie’s family came to visit, she had an itinerary ready so that they didn’t waste a minute of precious time together. And it would indeed be precious time, as Bonnie would always stock up on special foods so that they could cook and bake together. She was very proud to be a grandmother in addition to a mother, and loved her grandsons fiercely.
Overall, Bonnie was a very caring and selfless person. At her most recent retirement home, she’d befriended a fellow resident who was blind, and Bonnie had gladly and readily helped her by sorting her clothes and reading her mail. Bonnie’s willingness to help others was as touching as it was inspiring; her son Chris would eventually reflect her legacy of putting others first when he became her caretaker.
Bonnie was not only a devoted mother, but an incredible friend, and her friendships were not limited to people; she was a friend to all fish as well, captivated by their vivacious colors and diverse personalities. When she was younger, she had her own fishtank at her apartment, and would later become an avid member of the Tropical Fish Club of Erie County. She kept fish for 50 years, raising them with love and downsizing from 45 tanks to 20 tanks. She held auctions two to three times a year, meeting for club picnics on a monthly basis.
Bonnie was a collector her whole life, taking joy in figurines and in the vibrant purples of violets; she sold them to restaurants and proudly showcased them at fairs. Her “violet room” would eventually become a home for her beloved fish.
One of Bonnie’s most defining traits was how impeccably organized she was; all her packing was in the Steno notebook, and she would later show her daughter Nancy how to navigate it. When Bonnie’s husband Roy was asked to retire, it was Bonnie he turned to for advice; Bonnie advised him to retire, take the bonus, and put it into investments. Roy was able to do just that, and to live comfortably off of the investments. Bonnie did her due diligence by researching bonuses and honing her financial literacy; up until she passed away, she remained sharp, keeping her hard-earned knowledge about investments and the stock market, and honoring meetings with her stockbroker. Additionally, Bonnie was a genealogy whiz; she had an entire bookcase stocked with binders of family records!
Bonnie enjoyed watching singing competitions on shows like American Idol, The Masked Singer, and America’s Got Talent. This was no surprise, seeing as Bonnie came from a musically inclined family; she played accordion for some time (though the only song she knew well was Lady of Spain)!
Bonnie was exceedingly proud of her family and their accomplishments, as well as her own, and deserving so. Her legacy of hard work, financial success, and her knack for organization and structure made Bonnie who she was, and she will be remembered fondly for not only these things, but perhaps most importantly, her kindness, her caring heart, and her giving spirit.
Gifford, Bonnie Ann (nee Boettger) entered into rest on July 4, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Roy Gifford; devoted mother to Nancy (Todd) Wilson and Christopher Gifford; cherished grandmother to Alex (Paige) and Connor (Alyssa) Wilson; loving sister of the late Timothy (late Janine) Boettger. A Graveside Service will be held for Bonnie on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 10:00AM at St. Matthew’s Cemetery in West Seneca.