Obituary: Grace M. (Bonanno) Boland - Class of 1936

DEERFIELD - Our beloved mother, Grace M. Boland, age 90, joined our Heavenly Father on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. She was born on Oct. 16, 1917, in Madison, the daughter of Antonio and Antonina Bonanno. She married George E. Boland on Nov. 30, 1948, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Madison. Grace graduated at Central High School in 1936, and continued her education for many years at MATC taking business courses. Grace had an exciting and satisfying career. She began her career at Red Dot Foods in the production department. In 1942, the government was conducting an experiment to train women to be Federal civil service aircraft mechanics. Passing the FBI background check, she was trained and worked as an aircraft mechanic at Truax Field until the war ended in 1945. She then took a position at Rayovac but had to leave to care for her sister Ann in California. Returning to Madison, she married, and once all of her children were in school full-time, she rejoined the work force at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in the dietary department. Later, she obtained a position with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, registration department, where she worked for 22 years, retiring in 1983. Grace was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Joseph Church. She enjoyed serving on the Religious Education Committee and the Women's Auxiliary Committee. Grace was very proud of her Italian heritage and she became a member of the Italian American Women's Club in 1942. She took great pleasure in being an active member, attending the meetings and participating in club activities. Most of all, Grace loved her family. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and they brought her great joy. She was a wonderful teacher of life's lessons and those values are embedded in every generation. She is survived by her children, Thomas of Brooklyn, Judith (Mike) Way of Deerfield and Sandra (John) Hunter of Madison; grandchildren, Travis Hunter (Tia Marshall) of Middleton and Andrea Hunter of Madison; three step-grandchildren, Vicki (Garett) Kipp of Madison, Randy Way of Oregon and Rick (Anne) Way of Evansville; three step-great-grandchildren, Tighearnan Way of Evansville, Griffin Kipp of Madison and Logan Marshall of Middleton; a brother, Tony (Tena) Bonano of Monona; a sister, Sophie (John) Healy of Madison; many nieces and nephews and dear friends. Her parents; her loving husband, George; her devoted daughter, Suzanne; her sisters, Mary and Ann; and her bother Sam, preceded Grace in death. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, with Monsignor Thomas Baxter officiating. Friends may call on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., rosary to follow at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A special thank you to the loving and caring staff and volunteers at the Hospice In-Home Care Unit. Words cannot express the difference each of you made in our mother's life! To Heather and Juanita, your devotion in providing quality care in a loving manner is so appreciated. To Dr. Albert Musa, thank you for the years of care, support and for the twinkle you could put in Mom's eyes. You treated her with the care of kindness of the heart in addition, to the care of medical knowledge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 18, 2007