Bonne Lee Cunningham

Bonne Lee Reily was born on July 24, 1928 in International Falls, Minnesota. She died peacefully at her home in Leadville on February 23, 2022. Bonne was the youngest of four daughters born to John and Grace Reily. John was a telegrapher and Indian agent for the Duluth, Minneapolis and Iron Range Railroad and included Bonne in many rail trips around northern Minnesota as a child. She enjoyed those trips and always loved the trains. The family settled in Virginia, Minnesota where Bonne completed high school. Shortly thereafter she married Robert Ritacco and had two sons. When the Iron range work slowed down, Robert loaded up the family and moved to Climax, CO arriving on New Year’s Eve, 1959 and on to Leadville in 1960. Bonne and Robert divorced and she later was later married to William H. Cunningham (Bill) until his death in 1992. Bonne liked staying bush and chose to work outside the home. She worked at several Leadville businesses including Leighton’s Store at Climax, Mac’s Appliance and TV, Vienna Appliance, Leadville Goodwill Store, Coast to Coast Hardware, Silver City Printing, Bonne’s Gifts and Collectables and Slusher’s Greenhouse. Bonne’s true calling was visiting and giving comfort to the patients and extended care folks at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She could be seen walking from her home to the hospital several times each week. She rarely missed an ECU birthday and her purse was always stuffed with cards and small gifts. Bonne loved to walk and would take side trips on her way home to visit shut-ins. She was active in the Catholic Community and took pride in being a lector and Eucharistic Minister at her church. Bonne was especially proud in being recognized by then Governor Bill Ownes in 2001 as a Colorado Cares Governor’s Service Award recipient for her volunteer work. Bonne is remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother as well as a great cook. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Bill, her sister Lucille (Bob) Carver, her sister Ethel (Morris) Wolfe and her sister Mae (Waino) Suliin. She is survived by her son Robert L. Ritacco, son Matthew L. (Cindi) Ritacco, two granddaughters Marney (Orion) Aon and Mariel Ritacco as well as several nieces and nephews. A Mass for Bonne will be held at 10:00 AM March 19, 2022 at the Annunciation Parish. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Lake County Senior Center where Bonne enjoyed spending time with friends. On line condolences may be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.

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