Bonnie Rae Madison (nee Vinci)

Bonnie (Nonnie) Rae Madison, age 70 of Dyer, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, May 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and caregiver, after a courageous 9- year battle with breast cancer. She was born on July 1,1953 in Evergreen Park, IL to Isabell and Samuel Vinci.

Bonnie attended Nansen elementary school and graduated from Fenger high school in 1971. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University in 1975. The next year she would meet the love of her life, Ernest Madison, whom she married in 1984 and quickly became a beloved member of the Madison family. After a lengthy career (1976 – 2001) in the security industry with Apollo Detective Agency in Calumet Park, IL, she embarked on a new career in healthcare and social services, with Generations at Applewood in Matteson, IL. Her favorite leisure activities included occasional trips to casinos with her husband and taking family vacations. The last two trips being her most memorable, a family road trip to Disney World in a RV with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids that earned the family nickname “the Griswold family” from all the non-stop laughter and fun. Her last trip proved to be another fun filled family vacation to the Smokey Mountains of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which also included her childhood best friend (late Maggie Abt). Bonnie was an avid reader, collecting hundreds of mostly romance but also some mystery novels, which she would read to her daughter at a young age, a favorite being Nancy Drew books. She also had a strong love for animals, especially dolphins and penguins. She had several cherished pets throughout her life which included dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, hamsters, and a goldfish that was won at a carnival that went on to live for 8 years. Bonnie was a free spirit who loved and lived life to the fullest and became a friend to anyone she met. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband of 39 years (together for 48 years), Ernest Madison; her daughter, Samantha (Jesse) Valentin; her grandchildren: Lexi Horgash, Christine (fiancé Justin Sansone) Valentin, Steven (fiancé Carmela Carrera) Valentin; and great granddaughter, Emma Grace Valentin; her sisters: Colleen (late Larry) Heffron and Isabell Vinci; her brother, Dr. Samuel (Kelly) Vinci; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; her devoted caregivers, Jennifer Madewell and Tom Paris; and her faithful golden retriever, Carly.

She was preceded in death by her parents Isabell and Samuel Vinci; and sister, Marylou (Gunnar) Sundin.

Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2024, from 4pm-8pm, and again on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10am-11am at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (7535 Taft Street,  Merrillville, Indiana 46410). Interment with graveside committal service at 11:30am at Calumet Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.