Bonnie Lou Woodcock Peters
 

Cambridge-Bonnie Lou Woodcock Peters died peacefully on ancestral property in Ash Grove, Cambridge, NY on August 24, 2017, one day after her 78th birthday. Born in Cambridge NY to Earl and Lillian (Coon) Woodcock, on August 23, 1939, Bonnie was born more than 2 months premature. She lived in a shoebox in the oven and was fed with an eyedropper. No birth certificate was filed, as she was not expected to live. Bonnie was a beloved member of the CCS class of 1957, where she was a member of the glee club, and a fierce competitor on the basketball court and softball field. After graduation, she became the first graduate of the Mary McClellan Hospital Radiology program. Bonnie and friend Jane Wright founded the Cambridge Valley Athletic Association summer softball program for girls, and were instrumental in developing some of the finest and most winning teams in WASAREN league history in the 1970s. In her commitment to women’s sports, Bonnie was one of only a small handful of female umpires and referees for the league. Bonnie held many jobs as she raised her children, including work at Asgrow, Owlkill Farms and supervisor at the Cambridge Valley Mushroom Farm. In 1977, she found the job she loved best; school bus driving. She especially loved driving team buses, and became affectionately known as “ The Bonz” and later “Busin’Bon”. She drove bus for 38 years. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned a Stanley Home Product business, her own lawn service and vending business. A love of “tinkering” and a heart for children, she would find bikes in need of repair and would fix then and donate to children who did not have one. Bonnie was a community leader and volunteer, lending a hand with anything that was needed. She was a lifelong member of The Cambridge United Presbyterian Church. Bonnie loved dogs. She was talented and could compose poetry, and play the harmonica. She is survived by her daughters; Joanne (Tom) Steele, and Jane Frisch; her sisters Gladys (Dee) Headwell and Sharron (Albert) Messina; her former husband Carlton Peters; her beloved grandchildren Ian (Alison) Brownell, Benjamin Steele, Joshua Steele, Rachel Frisch, Susannah Frisch her great grandchildren; Mickey Boyce and Jameson Brownell. She is also survived by her former son-in-law, Dana Frisch, and life-long friends; Jane Wright, Marie McLenithan, Mary McMahon and Janice Podolec. Bonnie was predeceased by her son Daniel Peters. Along with her parents she is also predeceased by her sisters; Betty (Pook) Gilchist, Thelma (Bill) Herrington, Joyce Blinstrub, Gail Woodcock, Gloria Po (Joe) Bandalik, her brothers; Darwin Woodcock, Craig (Lucille) Woodcock, Thomas Woodcock and brother-in-law, Walter Headwell. Services to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be held at the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church, 81 East Main St., Cambridge on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 4 pm with Rev. Kate Kotfila officiating. Bonnie was always transporting students toward education. In lieu of flowers Bonnie requested contributions in her name to Southern Vermont College, 982 Mansion Drive, Bennington Vermont 05201, Attn: Nina Moser to be used for the Student Nurse Volunteer Program to Tanzania.

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