Bonnie Tetreault von Duyke

Born: 9/3/1923 Died: 3/6/2012 Bonnie von Duyke, age 88, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. A noted freelance artist, Bonnie was an exceptionally accomplished watercolorist who exhibited her work to excellent reviews in juried exhibitions for many years. Her award-winning watercolors, portraits, and works in various media are in numerous private and corporate collections, including those of Texaco, ICI Americas, Inc., Beneficial National Bank, Wilmington Trust, PNC Bank, DuPont Chambers Works, Hotel DuPont, Medical Center of Delaware, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Delaware, and the University of Delaware. She also exhibited at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Delaware Art Museum, the Rehoboth Art League, Berman Museum at Ursinus College, Woodmere Art Museum, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Perkins Center for the Arts, Baltimore Watercolor Society, Academy of the Arts in Easton, MD, and in New York City at the Salmagundi Club and National Arts Club. Her many professional affiliations included signature membership in the American Artists Professional League, the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, the National Association of Women Artists, and the Philadelphia Water Color Society (where she was a past member of the Board of Directors), and membership in the National League of American Pen Women. Locally, she was an associate of the prestigious Howard Pyle Studio Group and a member of the Rehoboth Art League. Born in Cambridge, MD, on September 3, 1923, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Dorsey Burnham and Nellie Lerch Burnham. A graduate of Dover High School, she would go on to study at the National Art School in Washington, D.C., the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art (currently University of the Arts), and the Rhode Island School of Design. She also studied with such nationally prominent watercolor teachers as Edgar A. Whitney, Charles Reid, Frank Webb, Jeanne Dobie, and Christopher Schink. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harrison, and by siblings, Claude Burnham, Dorsey “Jack” Burnham, and Alice Wible. She is survived by her five children: Michelle Rumble (Wesley) of Lewes, DE; Yvonne (Ranck) Tetreault (Tad Tweed) of Smithsburg, MD; Toni McHenry (Robert) of Downingtown, PA; Tina Stalker (Ray) of Woodstock, IL; and Timothy von Duyke of Newark, DE; 28 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Her family will forever remember her lively spirit, her wit, her wonderful talent, and her enthusiasm for life. Above all, they will remember her wisdom and the legacy of love she leaves behind. A memorial celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Ogletown Baptist Church, 316 Red Mill Road, Newark, DE 19713, where visitation will begin at 1 pm. Interment will be private. The family extends gratitude to Delaware Hospice and, in particular, to Renee and Sherry for their compassionate care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bonnie von Duyke may be made to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.