Bonnie M. Grocholl
Bonnie Marie Voorhees Grocholl, a lifelong resident of Roxbury passed on November 17, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bonnie was born on January 27, 1943 in Stamford, NY to Velma (Lane) and Bruce Voorhees.
She graduated Roxbury Central School in 1960, serving as a drum majorette in her Jr. and Sr. years. She also was a varsity cheerleader, played intermural sports and was a member of both the choir and girls ensemble.
Bonnie married her second husband, Emil P. Grocholl on January 28, 1972.
Bonnie leaves 6 children: Daniel A. Dorrance II, Michael A. Dorrance (Susan), Dawn M. Jones (Robert), Deidre A. Thorington, Philip C. Grocholl and Peter C. Grocholl. She also leaves 8 grandchildren; Steven Dorrance, Gregory Dorrance, Benjamin Dorrance, Nicholas Dorrance, Kenneth Jones (Carly),Rebecca Jones (Ryan), Taylor Thorington ( Julie), Alexander Thorington (Kayla), and 5 great-grandchildren, Dean Dorrance, Marcus Dorrance, Raven Dorrance, Kaleb Jones, Avery Jones, as well as a number of cousins.
She was predeceased in 2004 by her husband, Emil and her father Bruce in 2012 and mother Velma in 2018.
Bonnie was active in the Roxbury Senior Citizens Club, Red Hat Society, Roxbury Sidewalk Festival Committee, Basics (Share) Food distribution Project, Delhi Office of the Aging Committee and was a PUFL American Legion Auxiliary member, serving as Delaware County President for 3 terms and President of the Earl B. Dudley unit for many years. She served as Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader and was a Boy Scout mentor. Bonnie also served on the Board of Elections for many years as well.
Bonnie joined the Roxbury United Methodist Church at the age of 13. She wrote and organized several special events at the church, such as the Living Last Supper and a Maundy Thursday Foot Washing service. Bonnie served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and assisted with the vacation bible school program.
She worked as a crossing guard for Roxbury Central School for many years. She also worked at Audiosears and Twin River Sandwich Shop. She and her husband also ran Bonnie’s CB Shop.
Bonnie was a talented cake decorator, making beautiful wedding cakes for three of her children and several cousins as well as many birthday, anniversary and special event cakes requested by friends and family. She enjoyed building and furnishing 1/12 scale miniature dollhouses, butterfly hunting (her name for family history and genealogical research). Bonnie traveled across several counties, visiting Town Clerk offices and cemeteries to trace her family roots, going back to when the first of the family members arrived in America.
Bonnie especially enjoyed Halloween, decorating inside and out, making it a favorite trick or treat stop several generations of children in Roxbury. Another favorite of Bonnies was motorcycle riding.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 3-5pm and 6-8pm at Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury, NY. Her funeral service will be Friday November 22, 2024 at the Roxbury United Methodist Church at 1pm. Burial will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery, Hobart, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any donations in Bonnie’s memory be made to the Roxbury United Methodist Church.