On Thursday, January 3, 2008, Bonna Elfant, 65, passed away at her home after nearly a year-long brave battle with cancer. Bonna is survived by her devoted husband of 39 years, Allan Elfant, her loving daughters, Arian and Erin, her sons-in law, Chris and Ben, and her grandchildren, Ainsley and Orion. Bonna cherished her relationships with her friends and was deeply touched by the tender holding and outpouring of support shown to her over the last year.
Bonna lived and loved passionately. Her devotion to being a mother paralleled the intense joy she had in engaging life as fully as she could. Her positive energy and vitality with people had a remarkable way of spreading to others. Her intelligence, curiosity and wit powerfully impacted those who knew her. Politically and socially, she could not abide by what she believed to be the abuse of power, and because of that commitment she participated fiercely in many State College community issues.
Bonna was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts and she graduated college from Boston University with a degree in History. She held positions as a social worker and probation officer prior to motherhood. Throughout her life, Bonna was an active community member and volunteer, most recently for State College's Centre Volunteers of Medicine.
She will be missed in so many ways; the world is dimmer with her absence. The family will host a celebration of her life, at 11:00 a. m. on February 9th, 2008, at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at Penn State University. Contributions are requested to be made to the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, 251 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com