Blanche Bonnelly Wenzel

Blanche Bonnelly ""Bonnie"" Wenzel, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, Thursday, February 7, 2008, in Colorado where she was living with her daughter. Bonnie, 88, was a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida for almost 45 years. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, September 8, 1919 and grew up there, graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1941. She went on to attend law school there, leaving after her first year at the onset of America's involvement in World War II to join the Red Cross. She served with the Red Cross in North Africa from early 1943 through late 1945. Following her Red Cross service, Bonnie returned to Philadelphia and worked in the Philadelphia County court system as juvenile probation officer. At the onset of the Korean War, she resumed military service, this time as a commissioned officer in the US Army, serving in Japan and Washington, D.C., with the Counter-Intelligence Corps from 1950 through 1957. It was in the Army that she met her beloved husband Jim, an Army helicopter pilot. Leaving the Army to begin a family, she joined her husband in a variety of posts, including a return to North Africa for a two-year assignment in Libya. She settled on Okaloosa Island in the spring of 1963, shortly before Jim left to serve in Vietnam, where he was killed on a combat mission a few months later. Throughout her years in Fort Walton Beach, she was an active volunteer at St. Mary Church and School, FWBHS marching Band Parents Association, Playground Music Association, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association, Okaloosa Island Garden Club, Republican Women of Okaloosa County, Red Cross Blood Services, Life Inc., USO, Okaloosa County Council on Aging, March of Dimes, and others. Bonnie leaves a legacy of energetic service and boundless love to God, family, community, and country. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Judge Adrian and Blanche Bonnelly; husband, Capt. James Edward ""Jim"" Wenzel; and sister, Ruth McMahon. She is survived by sister, Phyllis Emas of Wilmington, DE; and children, Mary Faith (Stephen) Forbes of Lone Tree, CO, Mark (Jill) Wenzel of Pensacola, FL, and Cathy (Tom) Breyen of Alpharetta, GA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom cherish memories of sharp wit, laughs, hugs, dancing, and ""Praise the Lord"" greetings from a woman who loved everyone unconditionally. Bonnie particularly requested that any remembrances made in her honor be directed to Life, Inc., P.O. Box 2171, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549. Her family invites friends to join us in celebrating her life at a Memorial Mass at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. She will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery.