LaVonne "Bonnie" Grace Picton 1925- 2014

Bonnie made her first sounds to Carl Albert and Leona Teresa Rusch on November 19, 1925 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As would be expected she was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan! The fourth of seven children, she shared parents with sisters Beverly Miller, Joyce Gilson, Gremaine Brasure, Marilyn Hess, Sandra Paluch and Brother David Rusch. They were a close and loving family and Bonnie often shared memories of those wonderful and sometimes difficult times growing up in Green Bay during the depression years.

She was extremely proud of her parents. Her dad, a World War I veteran and a tool and die maker, and her mom, a homemaker that always managed to make ends meet keeping the group fed and happy. Life was centered on family. As a child Bonnie was fortunate to spend time with her grandparents on their farm during the summers. The family enjoyed camping, weekends at their cabin and sports like ice skating. She often spoke of how special the holidays were especially Christmas.

She graduated from East High School, home of Red Devils, in 1943. East High shared the City Stadium with the Green Bay Packers from 1925 until 1956 when Lambeau Field was built. East High played on Friday nights and the Packers played on Sundays.

After high school, Bonnie worked as a telephone operator in Green Bay. During this time, she took flying lessons and soloed. She moved to Milwaukee, WS where she was introduced to Richard "Dick" Evan Picton, a career Naval Officer, by her boss and future father-in-law, John E. Picton. It was love at first sight; they were married on March 12, 1946 and spent the next 68 years together. Her life changed dramatically as the newlyweds received orders to the South Pacific island of Guam. This initial adventure marked the beginning of an exciting and often strenuous 20 year career as a "Navy Wife" in support of her husband. Every two to three years meant pulling up stakes and moving the family to the next duty station. Dick was in a dangerous profession but Bonnie embraced her husband's naval career while raising and supporting their five children.

After Dick retired from the Navy the family settled in Orlando, Florida. She had always wanted to be a nurse, so in 1974 she attended college and soon after received her degree as a registered nurse. For several years Bonnie was a floor nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando eventually moving into Hospice work. She was one of the original Hospice nurses in Orlando and she kept her nursing license active into her 80's. It was fulfilling to her to help others – she would speak with pride when telling of how families of former hospice patients would still send her Christmas cards thanking her for the time that she spent offering comfort and compassion to their loved ones.

Bonnie loved her family and always put them first. She was never too busy to help with homework, school projects or to just comfort. Every gathering was special to her and she would do whatever it took to make it memorable. Her extra efforts made the holidays wonderful and special to those who were around her. Bonnie was an excellent seamstress, making items for her home, clothes for her children and doll clothes for her granddaughters. She did beautiful needlework including cross stitch, knitting and, crochet. Her family loved her cooking and the special treats she made for everyone, especially the cookies for her grandchildren.

Bonnie was a 'go getter' and believed in community as well as family. Throughout her life she was always involved in something; the PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Volunteer work at the Navy Base Hospital, golf tournaments and club activities. She actively participated in sports such as bowling and golf. As mentioned she loved the Packers and followed them through thick and thin. It was hard to say who she enjoyed watching more, Bart Starr or Brett Favre. She was also an avid professional golf watcher; some of her favorites were Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Wieskopf and most recently Phil Michelson. Even into her 80's she stayed physically active playing golf and joining a dance group to keep in shape. Bonnie was politically astute and a true and fierce patriot. She loved her country as she did her family.

She was a marvelous woman who saw something good in everything and everyone. She never met someone that she couldn't carry on a conversation with; she had a gift for making the person next to her in the check-out line feel like her best friend. She was an encourager – always trying to make you feel special in 'your own way'. Bonnie was there when you needed her for a talk, a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or a pat on the back. She was always very thoughtful, giving and beautiful.

Bonnie is survived by husband Richard Picton; her five children Susan Vestal, husband Mike, Deborah Prussiano, husband Joe, Candice Collins, husband John, Richard Picton, wife Kim, Thomas Picton, and wife Carol; grandchildren, Brooke Vestal, Carl Collins, Stefani Picton, Morgan Picton, Alex Picton, Amanda Picton and Mitchell Picton; her sisters Beverly Miller, Joyce Gilson, Sandra Paluch and husband Gene, brother David Rusch and wife Carol; brother-in-law John Picton.

Bonnie passed away peacefully on December 31, 2014 at Hospice of the Comforter, surrounded by loved ones. She was a devoted, dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will live on in the hearts and lives of those she loved and those who loved her.