Bonnie passed away on January 14, 2025.

She was born on February 25, 1942 to Stanley and Doris Kelsey Gillis. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie (Robert) Graham, Grandchildren; Kelsey Rose Van Aken, David and Stephen Graham, Father of her daughter David (Bijali Ohal) Connell, Brother Richard (Gail Price) Gillis, Brother-In-Law James (Karen) Waters, Sister-In-Law Kathryn Gillis, Roxanne Waters, and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and dear friend, Thomas Pampalone.

She is predeceased by her husband Kenneth Waters, brother Eugene Gillis, Sister-In-Laws Carol Gillis, Patricia DeCerbo, Pat Waters, Brothers-In-Law Lynn and Michael Waters, and Richard DeCerbo.

Bonnie graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in retailing. Upon graduation, she worked as a buyer in the women’s department at Edward’s Department Store on Main Street, Rochester, where she met Leslie’s father, David. She loved to tell the story that Leslie was born on Edward’s famous Women’s Day Sale.

She loved crocheting, knitting, sewing, and needle work. She worked several years at VIP Yarns in Greece, NY.

She owned her own antique and gift shop at Village Gate mall in Rochester.

She worked at the Town of Victor as an administrative assistant as well as in the Town Historian’s Office. She loved genealogy. Her proudest history research project was applying for a historic plaque from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for her beloved homestead, which we are so grateful she was able to watch her son-in-law and grandsons install on New Year’s Day.

At the time of her passing, she was Secretary to the Boughton Hill Cemetery Association and the South Perinton Cemetery Association.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Jarmusz Cotton Funeral Home, with a private burial at South Perinton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Lymphedema Network at 2229 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 667, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 or at [email protected].