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Bonnie Dewitt Obituary
Bonnie DeWitt, age 34 of New York, passed away at her home on Sunday, October 1, 2017. Born on August 11, 1983 in Plainview, NY, she was a daughter of David and Sara Dewitt. After graduating Old Beth Page John F. Kennedy High School in Plainview, she continued her education in Massachusetts at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, graduating in 2005. In 2007 she earned a Masters in Fine Arts at the New York Academy of Art.
Bonnie went on to pursue her passion for art in Manhattan, working as curator of the Kraine Gallery in the East Village. She then redirected her love of art towards teaching. She taught at the New York Academy of Art for nearly a decade, specializing in figure drawing. Her innate artistic abilities and dedication to her craft fueled her desire to share her talent and knowledge.
An accomplished artist in her own right, blogger David Maidman of the Huffington Post said of Bonnie, "As a painter, she has a cheerfully perverse sensibility, like an early Renaissance narrative painter, or a German fairy-tale writer." Bonnie considered Hieronymus Bosch, an early Dutch Renaissance painter, to be a strong influence on her artistry. She loved to explore New York's museums and would often take her art students on field trips to the Met. Outside of museums, she spent her free time in her beloved neighborhood, the East Village. She had a vibrant personality and a great sense of humor. Full of compassion, she loved animals, and was always a helping hand to others in a time of crisis. Bonnie had a radiant presence; anyone who had the opportunity to cross paths with Bonnie would agree that she was someone everyone wanted to know. She was a true rarity, someone who was and will always be unforgettable.
Bonnie is survived by her parents David and Sara, her three siblings, Kelly Sclafani, Victoria DeWitt, and John DeWitt, her cousin Peter Riley, her aunt Mary Linda Dewitt, and countless friends & colleagues in the art community.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bonnie Dewitt
Nico
October 3, 2021
Such accomplishments! Found a pic of you from Holly´s wedding a few weeks ago ~ RIP Bonnie !
Zachary Strobel
May 30, 2019
Your urban-yet-renaissance style of art was one of a kind. Thank you for all that you have taught me. We'll miss you, Bonnie.
Meg Siegel
December 10, 2017
Just found a card you made us. You painted a red stripe bow over mint green and white stripes. It was a 2011 Christmas holiday invitation. Such a talented and beautiful friend you... Missing you so much Bonnie.
Mary Linda DeWitt
October 19, 2017
Sending you so much love and light, dearest Bonnie. You are missed. You are loved. You are remembered. Always.
love is the little girl with the red hair
Mary Linda DeWitt
October 19, 2017
I missed you in the very instant I knew you were gone. And the hole I have in my being is as big as a cavern. This is the wrongest thing that has ever happened in my entire lifetime, and, some days, I have a hard time not being angry at the loss of you. I see you in everything and know that I will now see you in the everyday beauty of the rain, the blue sky, the giggle of a child. Thank you for being our teaching spirit, Bonnie. For it is through your death many of us now are only starting to learn how to really live. I love you, Bonnie. I am a better person for having known you. You once told me you wanted to "make the DeWitts proud!" Oh Bonnie, if you only knew how proud I am of you and your noble heart.
rae raff
October 14, 2017
So saddened..Bonnie was a memorable student in my classes at Cultural Arts Center. She was talented, hard working, Smart,spunky, spirited and thoughtful.
David Lipsky
October 14, 2017
Love you and deeply miss you so much, Bonnie.
Saundra Edwards
October 14, 2017
You will be so very missed sweet Bonnie. You were so many wonderful things to many and had such an ability to really connect with people. The world has lost a remarkably passionate, beautiful and talented free spirit. Rest In Peace cousin.
Dee Palmer
October 11, 2017
You gave so much of yourself to others, it was almost impossible to not be infected by your spirit.
You are missed everyday and the world is definitely darker without your light in it.
I will miss you Bonnie and wish that you were still here in our lives spreading around your infectious energy.
October 11, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Frederick Lembeck
October 11, 2017
God what a loss!
Jeff Stache
October 11, 2017
I am jealous of those people who knew her better than I did--she was such a phenomenon. Part bubbly little kid, part femme fatal and always a hard working artist. She may have left us early, but I know she will continue to inspire everyone she touched for many, many years to come.
Susan Russinoff
October 10, 2017
I had the dumb luck of having Bonnie as a student in a philosophy class at Tufts. She was a true joy to teach, with her quick wit and wonderful, quirky mind. I think the whole class fell in love with her. We stayed in touch over the years and I regret that I never made it to her studio in NYC. I am saddened beyond words to learn that she is no longer with us. My deep condolences to her many friends and her family.
Steph Boehner
October 10, 2017
My deepest condolences to Bonnie's family & friends. Reading the messages posted for Bonnie, it's clear she was a beautiful soul, inside & out. Those who loved her have lost a special person in their lives, while the skies have earned an angel. Love & hugs to you all, may Bonnie & her memory forever be alive in your hearts.
Love,
~Steph & Ben Boellner
~Mr & Mrs Raymond Shields
Debbie DeMaio
October 10, 2017
I had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie only once and liked her immediately. So sorry I didn't get to really know her. My deepest condolences to all that mourn her.
October 10, 2017
To the Family,
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. What a beautiful person. As the days pass missing Bonnie will be greater at times but with the many prayers and thoughts from all will help you get through the difficult days ahead. May the God who binds up the brokenhearted comforts all who mourn and sustain your family.
Isaiah 61:1,2
- with heartfelt sympathy
Kenneth Carpenter
October 10, 2017
The thing I knew about Bonnie is that she was the kind of person who would show up on multiple weekends to help the friend of a friend (me) move his brother's entire estate down five flights of Upper East Side stairs. I was already stunned at the effort my friends were giving, but who was this person who would do all this work for a total stranger? She seemed so cool, and my wife and I are terribly saddened to learn of her passing and the loss of her to our mutual friends. Our sincere condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Willie Baracchi
October 10, 2017
Bonnie im still soar for your loss, you are now in a new place, be happy there always, i wil miss you for ever ...
all my condolences to her family and closest friends.
love and peace to your hearts.
C. Nabor
October 10, 2017
May the Father of tender mercies help you through these difficult days.
Lynne Hall
October 10, 2017
So sorry to hear the terrible news. Our condolences to family and friends.
John Birge
October 10, 2017
~ Now you're a headlight on a northbound train, now shine your light through the cool Colorado rain, old friend ~
Lille Everett
October 9, 2017
I'm very sorry for your lost, may the God of tender mercies comfort the family at this time of lost.
Nico
October 9, 2017
*~❤~*
Lynn Albanese
October 9, 2017
The light you have shone on the world remains in your work. Fly free and wild beautiful spirit and know you are loved.
Lynn Albanese
October 9, 2017
I remember her aunt Chris showing me her art work when she was about 7 year old, it was of horses, a theme she has used since then. I remember meeting her at my son-in-law Peter Riley's home, and bonding immediately. We were both city girls, into the art and bohemian life style. Fly free my wild heart, you will be missed and always loved.
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