Bonita M. Lee 1939-2025

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Bonnie was born June 27, 1939, in Latrobe, Pa., to Edward Joseph Lee and Dorothy Mae Berenbrok Lee. She grew up in Latrobe and graduated from Latrobe High School in 1957.

Bonnie was married to her late husband, Louis Peter Dumas, for 60 years. Together, they had five daughters: Leslie Ann Lee, Amy Lynn Ragnone, Tamara Lee (Thomas) Mitchell, Linda Kayleen Patrick and Kerry Suzanne (James) Pettit. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and two brothers, Terry Lee of Latrobe, Pa., and Denny (Judy) Lee of Apopka, Florida; as well as her lifelong best friends, James and Carol Ross of Latrobe, Pa.

Bonnie was a wonderful mother, a devout Catholic and well-known in the Catholic book and retail industry. She began working at the Society of St. Paul’s Alba House Bookstore in Canfield in 1972, where she worked for 20 years. Bonnie then established her own religious gift store consulting business and opened several Catholic bookstores across the United States and in Belize. In the latter part of her career, she worked for over 15 years at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon gift store in North Jackson, until her retirement in January 2023. Bonnie was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and became an oblate of St. Benedict at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa., in 2018.

Bonnie enjoyed quilting, Bible study, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also cherished her dogs, having raised Shetland sheepdogs for many years. In her later years, she was a puppy raiser for Canine Companions (canine.org), where she trained two potential service dogs, Orla and Hakana. Bonnie loved to travel and would often be seen on a plane with her Rand McNally map in hand and her treasured pillow in her suitcase. Her travels included trips to Rome, the Holy Land and nearly every state in the continental United States. One of her last flights was a private plane ride to visit her brother in Latrobe, Pa.

Special thanks to friends Andrew and Heather Hill for making that wonderful memory possible.

In January 2023, Bonnie enjoyed living with her daughter, Kerry, and son-in-law, Jim, on their farm in Canfield. She loved being around the animals, taking walks with the dogs on the property, watching the sheep being sheared and helping to put hay in the loft each summer. Bonnie treasured visits and trips with her daughters, Tammie, Linda, Amy and Leslie, to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She attended daily Mass at the Society of St. Paul in Ellsworth.

In March 2024, Bonnie moved to her daughter, Tammie, and son-in-law, Tom’s home in Cranberry, Pa. She spent her final year enjoying never-ending visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While living in Cranberry, Bonnie attended Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Franklin. Fr. Campbell and the St. Patrick congregation embraced Bonnie in her final year with love and kindness.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation and thanks to Fr. Matthew Roehrig and the Brothers of the St. Paul Monastery for their lifelong friendship and kindness to Bonnie, especially in her final days. The family is also grateful to the members of Canfield Presbyterian Church, where Bonnie’s daughter Kerry works. The congregation was incredibly kind and generous to Bonnie, visiting her, sending cards and welcoming her to volunteer in their office. The love and kindness shown to Bonnie by these three religious communities truly embodied the spirit of Christ and exemplified what a “church family” should be.

The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Dr. Thomas Traikoff for the compassionate care provided over the past 40 years, honoring and respecting Bonnie’s wellness care wishes. Additional thanks is extended to Venango Valley Hospice for their love and kindness in Bonnie’s final journey to heaven.

There will be no public visitations.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass 10 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2025, at St. Vincent Basilica, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa.

Bonnie will then be laid to rest at St. Vincent Cemetery.

A memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Society of St. Paul Chapel, 9531 Akron Canfield Road, Canfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the St. Paul Monastery, 9531 Akron Canfield Road, Canfield.

Arrangements are being handled by the Lopatich-Brinker Funeral Home LLC, 601 Weldon St., Latrobe.

To sign the online guest book, send condolences or share a story, please visit www.lopatichbrinker.com.

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