Bonnie L. Helser

Bonnie L. Hesler, age 83, of the Town of Lee, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, with her family by her side.

Bonnie was born in Rome on August 30, 1942, to the late Robert and Ruth Starkweather Cole and graduated from RFA. On July 4, 1981, she was united in marriage to Harold "Bud" J. Hesler; a blessed union of nearly 39 years until his passing on March 11, 2020. Bonnie worked at several companies including GE and Revere Copper and retired from MetLife.

Bonnie was a member of the Lee Legion Ladies Auxiliary and its color guard and the Lee Center Seniors group. She loved music, and she loved dancing to its many rhythms, each one offering her a different way to feel alive.

Bonnie is survived by her daughters, Sandra Last, Robin Davis and Nancy (Tom) Clance; her sons, Jeffrey Davis and Paul Helser; several grandchildren and great grandchildren including several close ones, Carrie (Anthony) Yannarella and her children, Logan and Charlotte, and Krystyna (Gary) Libby and her children, Scott, Arabelle, and Myles; her siblings, Shirley (Jim) Mazza, Robert (JoAnn) Cole, Debbie (Jerry) Long, and William Cole; several nieces and nephews; and her K-9 companion, Tiffany, and her feline companion, Misty. She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Takisha Thompson and two great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11 AM, at St. Joseph's Church in Lee Center. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery on May 27, 2026 at 11 AM.

There are no calling hours.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome, with funeral directors Nicholas Iselo, Martin Ciaccia, and Kevin Barry guiding the family.

Please offer online condolences at: www.barryfuneralhome.com.