Boneita Jean "Bonnie" Cholish

1930 - 2021

Boneita "Bonnie" Jean (Farrow) Cholish, 90, loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died August 29, 2021 at home in Chesapeake. Bonnie was born on October 2, 1930 to the late Clinton and Nisia Farrow. A native of Peckville, PA, Bonnie caught the eye of John L. Cholish, Jr. when she was a majorette leading the Armistice Day Parade in Jessup, PA in 1948. John pursued the girl he described as the "tall, beautiful, blue-eyed blonde" and eventually won her affection for a lifetime. The pair resided in Rockaway, NJ for 37 years where Bonnie was a loving, dedicated wife and mother who stayed home to raise her children. She was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Rockaway, participating in varied church organizations. Bonnie was guided by her deep faith in God and her Roman Catholic beliefs. Her life was marked by self-sacrifice and patience as she took on the care of others over herself.

After retirement, Bonnie and John settled in Chesapeake, VA. Bonnie was a member of St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church from its origin and was a founding member of the committee that established the church's Our Lady Queen of Heaven Mausoleum Garden. Bonnie was also instrumental in the genesis of the church cemetery.

The simplest pleasures in life brought Bonnie the most joy. She was a remarkable cook and baker who enjoyed preparing meals for her family, especially over the holidays. She also loved fashion, shopping, bird watching and spoiling her grandchildren.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her daughter, Sheryl Rodimer and her sisters Marian Jenkins and Shirley Fanucci. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, John, who said Bonnie was the sunshine of his life for 71 years. She will be forever cherished by her children, John L. Cholish, III (Patricia), Julie Cholish-Whitaker (Ty), Marcie Kohl (Paul), Clint Cholish (Sheryl) and Mary Natiello, as well as her son-in-law, Frank Rodimer. She will be lovingly remembered as "Baba" by her 14 grandchildren, John Cholish (Stine), Frank Rodimer (Kelly), Jennifer Westenberger (John), Matthew Rodimer (Lisa), Michael Rodimer (Brittany), Cole and Luke Whitaker, Riley, Gavin, Aidan and Declan Kohl, Clinton (Jennifer) Cholish, Brooke Cholish, and Spencer Natiello. In addition, she is survived by six great-grandchildren, Jace, Jack, and Hannah Rodimer, Harper Molina, Kayleigh Vigilante, and Landon John Westenberger. Bonnie is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. A. Nicholas Terry, Jr. for his attentive care and friendship he provided to his "Chesapeake Mom", to Msgr. Mike McCarron for his friendship over the many years and to friends from St. Stephen Martyr who prayed for and cared for Bonnie and her family.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, September 1 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen, Martyr Roman Catholic Church 1544 S Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake. Monsignor Michael McCarron and Father Brian Rafferty will officiate. Interment will be in the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Mausoleum Garden immediately following the service with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bonnie's name to the St. Stephen Martyr Our Lady Queen of Heaven Mausoleum Garden.

Bonnie loved her family passionately and words cannot express how much she was loved nor how much she will be missed. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.