Bonita L. Plasco

1944 - 2020

Bonita L. Plasco, 76, of Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center, Bangor, died at her residence on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.

Born July 21, 1944, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Frederick J. and Lucille A. Schaefer Broghamer.

Bonnie was a graduate of St. Nicholas High School and was employed in the accounts receivable department by Pomeroy's, Wilkes-Barre.

Bonnie was a devoted and loving mother, nana, daughter, sister and friend.

Early on in her life, Bonnie loved ice skating and camping with her family and friends. She enjoyed many other activities, with one of her favorites being swimming. However, soon after she was married, when she was just 23 years old, Bonnie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

During her first nine years after her diagnosis, she was in remission and she gave birth to her two beloved sons, Robert and Michael, whom she always loved with all of her heart. Later on in her life, she was also blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Abigail, Evan, Olivia and Ian, who always made her eyes light up whenever they visited her.

After her divorce, when her M.S. worsened, she returned to her family home with her parents and two siblings, Fred and Lucinda. Eventually, her M.S. got to a point where, sadly, she could no longer be cared for by her family. Her journey took her to various nursing homes until she finally settled at Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center. There she received the care, love and compassion that turned her health around and allowed her to enjoy a quality of months with her family and friends. Slate Belt wasn't just her residence, it was her home and the staff truly was her second family.

Tragically, on July 3, 2020, Bonnie tested positive for COVID-19. Up until this point, Bonnie had always fought against all the odds and, to everyone's astonishment (doctor's included), would pull through every health issue thrown at her. So once again, Bonnie gave it her all and fought her hardest and did manage to make it back to Slate Belt. She was doing great (in her own words), but this was one fight that she could not win. In a little over a week, Bonnie passed away peacefully in her sleep. Finally, her suffering was over.

Despite all of her crosses to bear, Bonnie never lost her love of family, sense of humor, unwavering faith or most importantly, her will to live. It just goes to show you how much prayer, the love of family and the care and compassion of the right facility can make miracles happen and remind us all to never, never give up hope. Bonnie was indeed an inspiration of courage and strength, not only to her family and friends but also to everyone else who ever met her. There are not enough words, or even any words really, to convey how deeply and sadly she will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick J., on April 19, 1989; her mother, Lucille A. Schaefer Broghamer, on Dec. 7, 2007; and her brother, Frederick C. Broghamer, on Nov. 25, 2011.

She is survived by her son, Robert M. Plasco Jr., Pittsburgh; son and daughter-in-law, Michael D. and Karla E. Plasco, Easton; grandchildren, Abigail P.; Evan M.; Olivia G.; and Ian C. Plasco, Easton; sister, Lucille M. and her husband, Ronald J. Mudzik, Toms River, N.J.; and sister, Lucinda M. Broghamer; and Scott A. Snyder, Saylorsburg; niece, Charlene A. Mudzik and her husband, John W. Conrad, Belford, N.J.; nephew, Ronald R. and his wife, Norene M. Mudzik, Mountain Top; and great-nephew, Tyler J. Mudzik, Mountain Top; and numerous cousins.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in Church of St. Nicholas, Wilkes-Barre.

Mask and social distancing protocols will be in effect.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Bonnie's family at www.mjmclaughlin.com.