Sabina Regina (Bonnie Jean) Bennis, 64 Beloved Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin and Friend On July 20, 2013, Bonnie Bennis surrounded by all who loved her near and far died in her home, leaving her body to this earth and releasing her free spirit and eternal soul to God's welcoming embrace. Bonnie was born and raised in Philadelphia Pa. living there until she moved to the Vineland area 22 years ago. She is the beloved daughter of John J. Bennis and Sabina R.(Koenig) Bennis, both now deceased, cherished sister to Mary Pat ( Bennis) Young and her husband Warren (now deceased) and Anne Bennis Hartman and her husband Bill, and special treasured Aunt to her nephews Matthew, Christopher (now deceased) Joshua and Warren Young and her nieces Regina and Alexandra Hartman and Ali's husband Andrew Tolve and her many grand nieces and nephews. She is loved and will be missed by them as well as her Koenig and Bennis Uncles, Aunts and Cousins and her extended Philadelphia "Greek Family" Donna, Carol, their husbands and all the Perry's, her extended Vineland "Italian family", Anna and all the Dellagatta's, her many other dear friends, and the countless children who called and counted on her as their Aunt Bon Bon. She also leaves behind her devoted dog and faithful companion, Delsea, who Bonnie said "rescued her" when she adopted Delsea two years ago from the CCSPCA. They were both two old girls who gave each other a new life and lots of love. Bonnie was an artist, animal rights advocate and avid reader. She was the favorite babysitter, biggest fan and the most generous giver of her time, talent and treasure to her nieces and nephews and the many other children she felt blessed to have in her life. She graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and worked for ten years at the Northeast Regional Library in the Children's Department. She then worked for five years as a Regional Manager for the Wawa Corporation. During those years, she shared an art studio with her cousin, friend and fellow artist, Connie (Miller) Bottinelli. When she moved to Vineland, she worked at Comar in Buena and part time at the Vineland YMCA as a fitness instructor and at "The Good Life" with her dear friends, Drs. Michael and Katie Sarnoff. When diagnosed with advanced Breast Cancer almost 8 years ago, She stopped working in order to attend Cumberland County College as a full time student. While battling her breast cancer, Bonnie graduated with honors with an Associates Degree in Art Education and then decided to continued her education and pursue a Nursing degree. In May, 2009, She graduated from CCC Nursing Program with a degree in Applied Science. It was one of her proudest accomplishments and she was extremely grateful to all her classmates, professors and health practioners who helped her reach this goal. Bonnie lived her life and left this world on her own terms. She was a special strong, smart, sensitive and fiercely independent woman who valued and respected life and all the people who shared it with each day. She was truly grateful to all who loved her and helped her enjoy her life to the fullest up until her very last day. She wished to sincerely thank her trusted and caring physicians and friends, Dr. Shailja Roy, Dr. Per Montero, and Dr. Michael Villani, who she referred to as her "medical dream team" for their professional care and personal concern and also express her gratitude to the kind and caring staff at Southern Oncology who made her feel more like a friend than a patient during her many years of care. A Requiem Mass followed immediately by a celebration of her life is being held on Thursday evening at Saint Padre Pio Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church and Rosary Hall, 4680 Dante Ave. Vineland at 6:00 pm. If possible, please wear something purple and bring a photograph and a special memory of Bonnie to share. Inurnment will be held at a later time privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the to Spirit and Truth Ministries Soup Kitchen 800 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland NJ 08360. Please mark the donation: Aunt Bon Bon's Christmas Fund for Children" or to the Cumberland County SPCA. Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send condolences and tributes to the family. Funeral arrangements were made with the professional and compassionate help of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home in Vineland.