With sadness, our family announces the passing of Eleanor Marie Wells Bonasso on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, in Clear Lake, TX. She was 97.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 11, 1922, Eleanor was the fourth child of William and Katherine Wells, little sister to Bill, Betty, and Sally.

As a 21-year-old nursing school graduate, she became an officer in the Women’s Army Corps, serving in the European Theater during WW2. She was decorated for her service, receiving the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In 1993, her family honored her as a registrant at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Arlington VA.

During her tour of duty, Eleanor met fellow Army officer Russell P. Bonasso on a blind date in Paris, France. After courting across Europe, they wed on May 25, 1946, and were married for 56 years until his passing in 2003.

With her beautiful smile and gracious hospitality, she was the glamorous military wife and quintessential hostess of her era. Delighting in fashion and home design was a thread woven throughout her life.

Even at 97, she was most content when adorned with her signature jewelry, her nails manicured, and her hair styled (adding a trip for clothes shopping, a cookie or some ice cream didn’t hurt either).

As an avid reader, she constantly had a few best sellers within reach at one time in addition to her daily newspaper.

Not only did Eleanor actively chair women’s groups, church and social events, she also ensured that her five children made it to dance, music, and art lessons, sports practices, and school programs. Family culture included the experience of travel, from road trip explorations of worldwide living to vacationing in the Italian Alps.

Full of wit, she was always up for fun, contributing her own sense of humor to the games and festivities, whether it was a Wells or Bonasso gathering, and seizing any excuse for restaurant excursions.

Her family’s greatest pleasure was making her laugh, the cornier the joke, the better. She was the ideal audience for any budding comedian with her special requests for funny routines and songs, and no family reunion was complete without her leading a rousing rendition of “Show Me the Way to Go Home!”

Eleanor possessed a deep faith in Jesus, Whose love she felt unceasingly. This faith was demonstrated by her Catholic devotion and personal prayer life. Continually reaching out to others to pray for their needs, her kindness opened the door to God’s love for many hearts.

In addition to being Russ’s beloved wife, she was Sister and Sister-in-Law to 14 loving family members, and endeared Aunt to 12 nieces and nephews.

Together with Russ, she birthed a lasting heritage as dearest Mother to Pete, Kay, Jacque, Vincent, and Phillip John, revered Mother-in-Law to Claire, Phil, Gianni, Stacey and Karen, and cherished Grandma to 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. The mere mention of her family produced her brightest smile.

Her entire life, she was a woman of internal resilience and quiet strength, persevering through many personal challenges, all the while gently mindful of the help she received, and giving generously to those around her.

Although Eleanor’s extraordinary light is now Heaven’s gain, her joy of family, legacy of prayer, and faithful example of patient endurance will ever remain with all who love her.

A Catholic Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 22, 2020, at 3:00 pm, Crowder Funeral Home, Webster, Texas. Interment will be with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery.