Joan Elizabeth Larin BonAnno

Joan L. BonAnno died peacefully the morning of November 19, in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by the love of her family at 82 years of age. She was the youngest of nine children born to Camille (Keating) and George Larin in Detroit, Michigan, during the height of World War II.

After attending St. Brigid Catholic School, Joanie graduated from Immaculata High School in Detroit and went on to earn a BA in Education in 1965 from the University of Detroit. On a blind date on November 24, 1961, Joan met her future husband, Raymond J. BonAnno - a chance meeting that blossomed into a life-long love story. They married on January 27, 1965, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Detroit during her senior year of college. While honeymooning in Acapulco, a letter arrived from Joan’s parents welcoming Ray into the family, along with her semester grades and her final tuition bill. Ray and Joan celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Joan taught elementary school in Detroit for a few years after graduating from college until 1969, when they welcomed a daughter, Angie, followed soon afterward by a son, Jim. The growing family welcomed two more boys, Tom and Dan, after moving to Rochester, Michigan, in 1972. Joan cherished her family life and friends in Rochester, raising their four children while Ray established his career. In 1990, the family moved to Colorado, where Ray acquired and grew a successful trucking company. Joan worked for several years at Laredo Middle School as a paraprofessional educator supporting students with special needs. Joan and Ray enjoyed traveling together, especially on their extended cruises and trips that took them to six continents. She delighted in cooking for her family and friends and often brought home new recipes from their travels. Joanie was also an avid reader, finishing more than one hundred books a year and cherishing her many book club gatherings with dear friends.

Becoming a grandmother in 2003 launched a joyful time for Joan as she loved her time with each of her twelve grandchildren, always attending their plays, games, and celebrations. Her favorite role was picking them up in the after-school carpool, arriving with snacks in hand or ready for a mystery trip for treats, and hearing about their day. Her last pickup came just days before her passing.

Those who knew Joanie will remember her best for her infectious smile and sparkle in her eyes, her playful and kind demeanor, and her devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Joanie was the beloved wife of Raymond J BonAnno, and the mother of Angela M (Keith) Oxenreider, Raymond J (Sonja Jacques) BonAnno, Jr., Thomas M (Jackie McManus) BonAnno, and Daniel J (Kerry Doyle) BonAnno. Joan was blessed with twelve adoring grandchildren: Barrett, Joseph, Ryan, William, Raymond III, Michael, Samuel, Camille, Clark, Peter, Annie, and Benjamin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Camille (Keating) and George Larin, and her siblings George, Francis, Yvonne, Clare Devanney, Jeanne “Teeny” O’Reilly, Robert, and Maria “Molly” Clement, along with two nephews. Joan is survived by her sister, Anne Megel, and thirty-nine nieces and nephews.

Service details will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Joan’s honor to:

Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, Colorado https://arrupejesuit.com/donate/

‘Raymond & Joan BonAnno Endowed Scholarship’ at the University of Notre Dame https://giving.nd.edu/