Bonnie Lee Summers

Bonnie Lee Summers, passed away peacefully on April 2025 surrounded by her family. Bonnie is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Sid; her sons Matt (Sue) and Mike (Kristen); grandchildren Gabi, Bryan, Chris, and Kyle; sisters Carol and Joyce; one niece, four nephews; her beloved dog Raven, and one grand-dog. She will be remembered always for her warmth, wit, strength, and unwavering love of family, friends, the water, and caring for others.
Born on April 8, 1943, to the late Walter and Irma Thomas of Stony Creek, Maryland. A few years after her birth, Bonnie was joined by her two sisters, Carol Kirk (Thomas) and Joyce Huber (Thomas). The three grew up on the water, spending spring through early fall aboard the family boat, Silopanna, cruising the Chesapeake Bay. These cherished days sparked a lifelong passion for boating and being on the water-a love she would carry with her always.
Bonnie graduated from Glen Burnie High School in 1961. During those years, she became a member of Jobs Daughters, where she met the love of her life, Sidney Summers, who was then a member of the Order of DeMolay. After high school, she went on to study at Towson State University and later completed her nursing degree at Sinai Hospital, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Shortly after graduating, Bonnie moved to Texas to marry Sid, who was stationed in Amarillo with the U.S. Air Force. There, she worked as an operating room nurse in the cardiac care unit. After Sid's military service, the couple returned to Maryland and began their family, welcoming sons Matthew in 1968 and Michael in 1971. Through the early years of her boys' lives, she and Sid continued their love of the water with countless weekends and annual vacations on their family sailboat, teaching their sons to sail and navigate the Chesapeake Bay.
Bonnie worked for many years as a pediatric nurse before continuing her career with the State of Maryland Health Department, where she served until her retirement in the early 2000s.
In retirement, Bonnie and Sid enjoyed traveling and spending time at their home on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Above all, Bonnie found her greatest joy in being a grandmother. She adored her four grandchildren-Gabi, Bryan, Chris, and Kyle-and took immense pride in the young adults they've become. She was a steady source of love, encouragement, and gentle wisdom - leaving behind memories and values that will stay with them forever.
They remained closely connected to their dear friends of many decades-the Bradley, Cheek, Melocek, Croot, Ellis, Norris, and Mason families.
In recent years, Bonnie faced the challenges of dementia with grace, humor, and resilience, supported by her devoted family. Her final boat ride on March 28th was a swan song to a life well lived and deeply loved.