Bonnie J. Fay
May 3, 1936—July 20, 2023
Cornwall, NY
Bonnie J. Fay, of Cornwall, NY entered into eternal rest on July 20, 2023 at Garnet Health Medical Center, Wallkill, NY after a short illness. She was 87 years old. She was married to the late Donald Fay for 61 years.
The daughter of the late Alexander Howard and Alice (Baxter) Howard, Bonnie was born on May 3, 1936 in Cornwall, NY.
Bonnie was a member of the Canterbury Presbyterian Church in Cornwall, singing in the choir and serving as a teacher for the children in church school. She was also a participant in the Mountainville United Methodist Church in Mountainville NY.
Bonnie was a kind, and gentle person who dedicated her life to caring for others . Anyone who met her felt the joy and peace she radiated throughout her life. Her greatest desire in life was to help and serve others. It was with that spirit that Bonnie and her husband Donald served as foster parents to more than 200 children in need over the course of 25 years. When they retired from foster care Bonnie, in her 50’s, began a formal secondary education at Mt. St. Mary College in Newburgh. She graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services. Thus began her time at Crystal Run Village with the newest addition to the family, the residents she worked with. She worked as a direct care worker at Crawford House, a residence with 13 adults that needed support in their daily lives, which she was glad to give for 20 years. Bonnie regularly brought “her children” home for holidays and family celebrations. They were as much a part of the family as any of her own children or foster children. One of the greatest joys in her life was becoming a grandmother. No matter what was going on she always had time to share with them. One of her favorite things to do with them was go to parades. She was so proud of the MacLeods of Cornwall Pipe and Drum Band started by her father. She, along with countless members of the family belonged to the band and paraded all throughout the area celebrating a variety of holidays and special occasions for many years. In her retirement, beginning at 75 Bonnie found peace spending time at Donahue Park on the Hudson River. where she enjoyed people watching, and connecting with friends doing the same.
She will be missed greatly and remembered fondly by everyone that knew her.
Bonnie is survived by her daughters: Donna E. (Fay) Levien and her husband David and Mercedes Martinez; her sons: Frederick Fay and his wife Lisa and Edward Fay and his fiancée’ Maya; 7 grandchildren: Daniel, Nicholas, Cody, Heather, Lily, Chantell and Milan; 3 great grandchildren: Sophia, Lorenzo and Audrey; and by her brother: Arthur Howard. In addition to her beloved husband Donald, Bonnie was predeceased by her daughter: Bonnie Heather Fay; and her son: Barone Hill;
A Graveside Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor, NY.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hope United Methodist Church 198 Main St. Cornwall NY 12518 or Food Bank of the Hudson Valley 195 Hudson St Cornwall on Hudson NY 12520.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com