Mary Jo Bonamico Brown

Mary Jo Bonamico Brown, 82, of Dennison, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at New Dawn Retirement Center in Dover after a period of declining health. Born March 23, 1930 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Mae “Maggie” (Toth) Ross.

Mary Jo was a resident of Dennison throughout her life and a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church. She was the valedictorian of St. Mary’s High School in 1948, a member of the church’s Altar Society, and a longtime volunteer at the parish’s weekly Bingo nights. For a number of years, she also volunteered as the concessions manager at Trumpet in the Land. Mary Jo, affectionately known by many as “Mom”, will be fondly remembered by the cast and crew members of Trumpet in the Land who enjoyed the meals that she provided for them during pre-season rehearsals. In her spare time, she loved to read and work crossword puzzles.

Mary Jo was a devoted and loving wife, mother and sister who will be deeply missed by her surviving family which includes her daughters, Roseann Bonamico and Margaret Bonamico of New Philadelphia; a son, Joseph Bonamico of New Philadelphia; stepdaughter, Robin (Michael) Webster of Chester, W. Va.; grandchildren, Roger Dominick, Valarie (David) Nash, Gina (Jason) Bannevich, and Andrea Dominick; stepgrandchildren, Caitlyn (Steve) Curtis and Chelsea (fiancé, Mike) Webster; great-grandchildren, Victoria Nash, Maggie Dominick, and Dominick and Giovanna Bannevich; brother, Ronnie (Donna) Ross of Dennison; sisters, Sister Wilma Ross, SCN of Columbus and Vicki Dominick of Dennison; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends, including Belinda “Benny” Lentz, Ann Garbler, and Heather Smith to whom she was especially close. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Bonamico with whom she enjoyed marriage from their wedding on March 28, 1951 until his death on March 22, 1963; her second husband, Rollie B. Brown, Jr. whom she married on September 18, 1971, enjoying eighteen years of marriage until he preceded her in death on June 17, 1997; and a brother-in-law, Roger Dominick.

Services for Mary Jo, officiated by Father Anthony Lonzo, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, in Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery near Dennison. Family and friends are invited to call at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Near the conclusion of calling hours, at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, Sister Wilma Ross will lead Rosary prayers. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Trumpet in the Land, C/O The Ohio Outdoor Historical Drama Association, P. O. Box 450, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, in lieu of flowers.