Mary Bonnie Seppanen

Mrs. Mary Bonnie Seppanen, age 89, of Newark, DE, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Born in Newark, DE on February 2, 1927, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Wallace M. George and Florence R. (Holmes) George. She graduated from Newark High School Class of 1945 and attended Goldey-Beacom College. Bonnie married Edwin M. Seppanen on April 26, 1952 and they were married for 53 years until his death in 2006. Prior to her marriage, Bonnie was employed by Wilmington Trust. After her marriage, Bonnie became a full-time homemaker raising her three children. She was an outstanding cook and seamstress and friends of her children would welcome an opportunity to have dinner at the Seppanen home. After raising her children, Bonnie was employed by the University of Delaware. Bonnie was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, Newark, DE, serving in many positions within the church. She was devoted and committed to her Lord and Savior raising her children with a strong faith. Her happiest moments were when she would spend time with her family. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Bonnie loved to “be on the go” and be with people and enjoyed her many trips to visit family in South Dakota. In her final years, Bonnie was a member of the Senior Care of Newark which she loved attending. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela R. Knotts (Frank), of Smyrna DE; son, Paige D. Seppanen (Teresa), of Newark, DE; family members, Arlene Seppanen, of Wilmington, DE; Patricia Alleman (Bryan), of Loysville, PA; Rob Rathburn, of Reston, VA; grandchildren, Erin Seppanen, of Thailand; Jessica and Jennifer Seppanen, of Wilmington, DE; Benjamin Seppanen (Cassie), of Loysville, PA; Stephanie Rohrbaugh (Nick), of Philadelphia, PA; great grandson, Calvin Rohrbaugh; brother-in-law, Stewart Seppanen, of Vienna, SD; sisters-in-law, Esther Seppanen, of Hayti, SD, Bernice Seppanen, of Lake Norden, SD, Martha Seppanen, of Vienna, SD and Toni Seppanen of Lake Norden, SD; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her son, Craig M.W. Seppanen in November, 1996. A special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Christine, Erika, Jennifer, Jesse, Jewel, JoAnn, Marcie, Sue, the staff of the Senior Care of Newark and Dr. G. Beste and his staff. Also a special thanks to Season’s Hospice. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday evening, May 25, 2016 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday morning, May 26, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church, 215 E. Delaware Avenue, Newark, DE, where a second visitation will be held from 9:30 am until 10:30 am. Interment will follow at 2 pm in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Senior Care of Newark, 200 White Chapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713 or Calvary Baptist Church, 215 E. Delaware Avenue, Newark, DE 19711.