Sept.
19, 1943 - Oct. 19, 2008SOUTH BEND - Toting books of Bach and Beethoven, they arrived morning, noon and night. By car, bicycle, on foot, no matter the weather or time of year, a steady stream of students young and old flowed through the warm front room of the house in Swanson Highlands. There they would spend 30 minute sessions learning a little about piano and a lot about life from their teacher, Bonnie J. Peters, 65, who died Sunday evening with her family by her side after a courageous two-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Even during the most serious state of her Illness, when pain unfortunately became her constant companion, Bonnie did her best to teach piano. To care for her mother. To make sure the needs of everyone else were met before she worried about her health. Her husband, family and friends came first, second and third. Her needs were a distant fourth. Born Sept. 19, 1943, in New Orleans, Peters settled in South Bend. On Dec. 18, 1964, she and her husband, Vic, began an incredible journey of 44 years together, one that started in the hallways of the old Adams High School. It would take them from South Bend to Southern Indiana for college and back to South Bend, where they would raise a family, become grandparents and share a good life. Also surviving Bonnie are her mother, Yvonne (Rodiguez) Bernth of South Bend; daughter, Jennifer (Thomas) Noie of Granger; son, Jason of Mishawka; grandson, Tyler Noie, and granddaughter, Lucy Noie of Granger; brother, Allan Bernth of South Bend; nephews, Brian (Linda) Bernth and Dan Bernth; and friends too numerous to mention. Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Fredrick, and her sister-in-law, Bev Bernth. Bonnie found a way to your heart through her warmth, love, generosity, sense of humor and limitless talents and tireless efforts in her kitchen. She was famous for her wagon-wheel sized hamburgers, her love for healthy portions of only the best filets, and being on a first-name basis with the main man in the grocery store's meat department. She could meet you one day, then cook you a steak the size of Seattle the next. You would arrive at Bonnie's for dinner carrying nothing but an empty stomach, then leave hours later with your belt undone and arms loaded with zip-lock bags of leftovers that would last a week. The next day, Bonnie would be by with more food, whether it be three loaves of bread, dozens of cookies or even a bag of pretzels or three. It was simply her way of saying "I love you." Like many in Michiana, college football often became a centerpiece of Bonnie's life on fall Saturdays. But for Bonnie, it was never about being at the game. It was making sure everyone had a ticket, had plenty to eat and enjoyed themselves long before and longer after kickoff. Lazy summer days were often spent near water, be it near lake Michigan or on Diamond Lake surrounded by good friends, good food and great times. Bonnie's grandchildren were her ultimate joy. Seldom did a day pass without the traditional 7 p.m. phone call to hear about their days, or let them know about a must-see TV show. She arrived for her visits, sometimes three times in one day, with a car loaded full of goodies. A deliver from Bonnie might include who knows what. It was seldom dull, and never routine. She taught her 12 year-old grandson, Tyler, to play piano (often with a little coaxing in the form of another Subway sandwich for lunch), tend to a garden and embrace everything nature offered. In August 2007, her granddaughter, Lucy, who turns 2 on Nov. 1st, arrived from Sichuan Province, China. Few were as overjoyed as Bonnie when the car carrying Lucy and her parents rolled up the driveway that warm August evening. Bonnie reacted as if she was eight years old again on Christmas morning. Though far too short, it was a new and exciting chapter in her life, one she cherished each day. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today in Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, where a prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. A Mass will be said by the Rev. William Schooler at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 a.m., preceded one hour prior by visitation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice House and St. Pius X Catholic Church. Bonnie's time with us ended Sunday evening, but her spirit lives on in the memories of her loved ones. We know she's in a better place surrounded by people who love her, and are anxious to hear all about what they have missed. She's in a peaceful place where there is no pain, a place with plenty of spots to again fish with her father, and where reception of WGN-AM 720 never fades. Her warm and caring spirit will be missed, but those fortunate to cross her path never will forget her. Goodbye, Bon, watch over your family. Keep them safe and secure. We'll make you proud.