Bonnie Longford Reese

Bonnie Langford Reese, faithful servant of God, passed away on August 20th, after a valiant battle with cancer. A vibrant, caring, and generous soul, she devoted her life to God, her family, and her church communities, with a special passion for youth and the homeless. Bonnie was born on December 23rd, 1942 in Chicago Illinois, and lived her first 8 years in her father's hotel, the Del Prado, in Hyde Park. Her family moved to Winter Park while she was in High School, where her father owned the Langford Resort Hotel. On one of her trips down there she met her future husband of over 46 years, Ron Reese, through a Young Life Program. After attending UC Berkley College, she and Ron lived in Gold Hill, Colorado. After the death of their child Jonathan, they lived in India, and at the Lama foundation in New Mexico. After Ron graduated seminary to become a Presbyterian minister they moved to Superior, Wisconsin, where Ron led a church for 10 years, and where Bonnie tirelessly ran youth groups. After leaving Wisconsin, Bonnie and Ron moved to Seattle, and the couple helped create and sustain a homeless shelter at First Presbyterian Seattle. After Ron's passing in 2013, Bonnie returned to Central Florida. Bonnie is survived by her sisters Carol Langford and Gerry Liff, her brother Robert Langford II, her adoring nieces and nephews, godchildren, loving friends, and her beloved dog Joshua. "Bonnie Sweet" is missed for her smiles, coos, and sometimes mischievous laughter, her incredible generosity, her ability to listen deeply and always without judgement, and her ability to love unconditionally. Despite her slight fame she was deceptively strong, and strong willed, and set out on countless wilderness adventures. She was always counseling, listening to, and praying for those around her. She had a talent for celebrating the lives of those she loved through skits and songs, and could always show people they were loved and valued in the world. Bonnie did not fear and looked serenely forward to the afterlife. In lieu of flowers she would wish for donations to homeless and animal shelters. A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 29th, 11 am, at St Stevens Lutheran Church, 2140 West SR 434, Longwood, FL 32779 Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, 9001 N Orlando ave. Maitland, Florida 32751, 407-695-CARE(2273)

Bonnie Longford Reese

December 23, 1942 - August 20, 2018