Bonnie Mae Estes Kaplan

Bonnie Mae Estes Kaplan December 10, 1941 - April 12, 2024 Montage Link: What A Life!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSxThTAWVnQ Bonnie passed having completed a life well lived. She was raised in a Kosher home in Chicago with her parents, Sarah and Jack Estes, her sister Flora, along with an extended family of aunts, uncles, and first cousins. She went to Sullivan High School, with friends who remain close to this day. Bonnie would cross paths with the love of her life several times because Bob was just ahead of her at Sullivan. But it wasn’t until she attended the University of Illinois, that Bob would ask her out on their first date. Bob picked Bonnie up from her summer secretarial job. After dinner, they went to harness races at Maywood Park. They bet on a horse named Bonnie. It won. Their second date ended in front of Buckingham Fountain. They hugged and that was it. They just knew that a life of love was eminent. They had a fairy tale wedding at the Knickerbocker Hotel on January 6th, 1963. They lived in Connecticut for Bob's first engineering job, acquiring more dear friends along the way. Bonnie and Bob lived in Des Plaines, IL where Debora was born. Then they moved to 108 Downing Road in Buffalo Grove, IL where David was born. They lived there for over 30 years, with Bonnie becoming the best wife, neighbor, Brownie leader, and busy room mother at Tarkington Elementary School in Wheeling, IL. She created home-made Halloween costumes and used her Singer machine to sew mother-daughter outfits. Additionally. She took art classes at Harper College and was on a competitive indoor tennis league in Arlington Heights. Bob and Bon were a great team; Bon held down the fort while Bob traveled to all parts of the planet involved in fossil fuel and petrochemical processing. Bonnie started her own craft business called Potaloons (hand sewn covers for terracotta pots). She then was employed by a company that produced the first computerized exercise bikes called Dynavit, followed by her long-term career in commercial real estate as a development manager in Northbrook, IL. She also volunteered as a deliverer for Meals on Wheels. The people on the receiving end loved her, not so much for what she delivered, but for the time she took to sit down and chat with them. The 80's were devoted to her kids’ adolescent endeavors at Wheeling High School. She took pride in her home and garden, a reflection of her college major in botany. A top priority was to have dinner on the table to spend quality family time together. Her ratatouille and meatloaf were Deb’s favorite, while Dave wolfed down her taco casserole and kugel after piano lessons. We all agreed her baked French toast was worth the wait. Years later, the grandkids had big eyes for their Grammy’s layered ice cream cakes! Bonnie chauffeured her kids to Sunday School, Randhurst Mall, and to cultural events. She and the kids were members of the Goodman Theater and The Lincolnshire Theater. She had the knack and loving energy to host the holidays, birthday parties in the basement, and regular Sunday dinners for Grandparents. Bonnie was blessed with a charitable nature. She was a facilitator of a breast cancer organization called Y-Me. Bon and Bob began to travel the globe once their kids were off to college. From cruises with friends to sheering sheep in New Zealand, or just taking road trips to visit loved ones across the country, they were always together. Often Bob got assigned abroad, and Bon would go too. Not too far out, their adult children married and produced four grandchildren, DJ’s Payton and Penny, and David’s Madeline and Max. Bonnie quickly assumed the grandmother role and loved every minute of it! So, the situation called for a consideration of where to retire. They headed South on the West Coast of Florida, from Clearwater all the way to Marco Island. They happened to lunch in Stoneybrook’s Club House. Based on the friendliness of the people they chatted with, and just the feel of the place, it was a done deal. They played a round of golf and were paired with a couple whom to this day are best friends, along with many others whom they call their Florida Family. That was 27 years ago. As snowbirds, life was fulfilling, able to spend quality time with their grandchildren back in Chicago, who equally valued time with Grammy and Poppy. Each grandchild had their own special relationship with Grammy. She was always on the floor playing, pretending, building, and reading with each of them. When they got older, Bonnie was by their side, and on the sidelines, for sports and performances. In 2013 Bonnie complained about finding the right words and feeling that she was having trouble playing Mahjongg. Bob was in denial that there was any reason to be concerned, merely “senior moments.” Bonnie was ultimately diagnosed with PPA (Primary Progressive Aphasia), which evolved into Alzheimer’s. She lost her ability to express herself and to understand what people were saying. It was heartbreaking to those who loved Bonnie to watch her lose, not only her ability to communicate, but also her “Bonnieness.” Bob became a very active supporter of PPA and Alzheimer research. Together they enrolled in a ten-year research study that involved lectures, support groups, and close monitoring of her regression by renowned specialists. Bonnie’s sweet demeanor showed through in visits with her daughter at Harbor Inn in Venice, FL where she was a resident. She never lost her ability to laugh and enjoy music. Unfortunately, Bonnie ultimately succumbed to this insidious disease, but her commitment to a cure was demonstrated by her early decision to donate her brain to the Northwestern Brain Center to potentially help future victims. Through her donation, Bonnie’s charitable nature continues on even after her passing. Bonnie passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Bob, her two children, Debora and David, and their spouses, Jimmy, and Elisa, and her sister Flora. She proudly left her four grandchildren to continue living their best life: Payton (23), Penelope (20), Madeline (15), and Max (15). Bonnie’s remains will be cremated. There will be a final memorializing service for immediate family one year from now. She was a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her, and we will always remember her warm heart, infectious laugh, and bright smile. Please do not send flowers. At your discretion, you can donate to a charity of your choice or consider one of the following PPA & Alzheimer’s research groups who Bonnie & Bob worked with: The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration: https://www.theaftd.org/ Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology for Northwestern Medicine: https://www.neurology.northwestern.edu/research/research-areas/cognitive-neuro-alzheimers/index.html If you would like to share sentiments, please go to Bonnie’s Toale Brother’s funeral page:

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Bonnie Mae Estes Kaplan

December 10, 1941 - April 12, 2024