Bonnie Goodwill Cray, age 84, of Erie, PA, and Bradenton, FL, passed away in Bradenton, FL, on Monday, May 12, 2025, after a brave and prolonged battle with illness.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, John Clifford (Jack) Cray, as well as her older brother, Bill Goodwill (Erie).
Bonnie was the devoted mother of Kevin P. Cray of Bradenton, FL, and Tammy E. Cray of Erie and Bradenton.
Bonnie is survived by her sister, Susan Goodwill, wife of Robert Ellis, of Waterford, MI, her brother-in-law, Dennis Cray and his wife Carrie, and her sister-in-law, Kathy, wife of Bill Goodwill (deceased). She also very much cherished her two nieces, Dawn Goodwill, wife of Rich Forsgren, and Jacklyn (Jackie) Young, wife of Dale, as well as her grand-nieces and nephews, Hannah Forsgren, Ellie Young and Rory Young. She is also survived by her beloved aunt, Shirley "Bessie" Kohler, wife of Jack Kohler (deceased), of Meadville, PA, as well as many cousins.
Bonnie was born in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1940, and grew up in Erie and Meadville, PA. Throughout their lives, Bonnie and Jack lived in Erie, Ripley, New York, Dallas, Texas and Bradenton, Florida, but they always returned to Erie for their summers if they could.
Bonnie attended First District School in Meadville, PA, and graduated with honors from McDowell High School, in Erie in 1958. During high school, Bonnie enjoyed cheerleading Bonnie enjoyed cheerleading, going to the beach and many slumber parties with the girls. She formed several friendships in those years that lasted her lifetime and. Bonnie attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA and Gannon College in Erie where she was one of the first women to double major in math and psychology.
Bonnie retired early from her career in banking, and she and Jack developed a love of travel. They visited many interesting places, among them Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich, and London. In the US, they enjoyed traveling to San Diego frequently. They also befriended a couple through Jack's work and stayed with them in Mexico where they enjoyed exposure to the local culture and even learned to make authentic paella. A high point of their travel was attending the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, where Jack was involved in supplying the ceremonial Olympic torches.
In Erie, Bonnie was an active volunteer at Sarah Reed Children's Center and with Welcome Wagon for many years. She enjoyed games of all kinds including golf, Mah-jongg, and duplicate bridge.
Bonnie loved the water and was often found visiting the Peninsula with her friends or in Florida, the Gulf. Bonnie was always up for a walk on the beach or a good sunset, especially if there was live music being played nearby.
A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Sarah Reed Children's Center in Erie, PA.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
