Mrs. Hortense “Bonnie” Bonniwell Poynter, 95, peacefully passed away Aug. 6 at her home in Felton, Del. holding her daughter’s hand. A native of Harborton, she was the daughter of the late George A. and Gracie E. Bonniwell.
She graduated from Central High School in Painter. Her working career included an array of varied jobs from Playtex to duPont. She finished her career at age 55 with Delmarva Power. In addition, she and her husband proudly owned Poynter’s Tree Farm and Christmas Shop for 57 years.
Throughout the years, Bonnie and Bob enjoyed jumping in the pickup with the Airstream in tow behind and traveling around the United States in a caravan with the Airstream Club. They spent their winters at their home in LaBelle, Fla. and their summers at their home in Pungoteague, always arriving back to their home in Felton in time to be Mr. and Mrs. Christmas.
Bonnie was the oldest living member of the Felton Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary. She was a member of the Felton Avon Club, the Felton Chapter of the Rebekah Lodge, and a member of Moose Lodge #534.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Robert A. Poynter; her sisters, Virginia Bonniwell and Kathleen (Warren) Albrecht; and her brothers, Lynn (Margie) Bonniwell, George (Alma) Bonniwell, William (Frances) Bonniwell, and Milford (Jean) Bonniwell.
Bonnie is survived by her sister, Gracie A. (Ed) Green; three daughters, Jeannie (David) Wood, Bonnie Kaye Shockley (Bruce), and Robin (Mark) Achenbach; two granddaughters, Wendy Rust (Nate) and Stacey Webb (Lauren); three grandsons Wesley Wood (Sherri), Daniel Wood (Meghan), and Dakota Achenbach (Ashley) and 14 great-grandchildren, Riley Wood, Elle Wood, Malory Wood, Ella Morton, Brayden Morton, Wayland Wyatt Wood, Rylan Rust, Regan Rust, Ridge Rust, Rylei Webb, Stella Webb, Landon Poynter Bromley, Quinn Hinch, and Gannon Hinch. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved like her own children.
Services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. at Berry-Short Funeral Home in Felton, with a viewing from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Pecometh, 136 Bookers Wharf Road, Centreville, MD 21617 or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Cardiac Unit), 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Arrangements were in the care of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 217 Main St., Felton, Del.
Online condolences can be made at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com
