Caroline Barbara Bonavico

Caroline Barbara Bonavico, age 90 of Naples, FL passed away July 8, 2023. She was born in Newark, NJ to the late Vincent and Katherine Jilling. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Bonavico. She is survived by her son, Christopher Bonavico and wife, Rachel Eaton; daughters, Lisa (James) Conlan and Laura Bonavico; grandchildren, Kellianne Elliott, Matthew Conlan, Elizabeth Bonavico and Margot Bonavico. Visitation will be held at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin, TN on July 11, 2023 from 5-7 pm. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11AM on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at St. Philip Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 10-11 am with a funeral mass at 11AM. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Happy, always positive, warm, athletic, and funny; Caroline Bonavico was most of all a loving mother, devoted wife, and generous and caring friend.

She shared her broad smile with everyone she’d meet.

She always answered the phone when we called with a warm enthusiastic “Hi son! or “Hi honey!“

She’d always say things like “Another beautiful day in Naples, Florida!“

She was a great tennis player.  We will never forget the day she said “I just beat a player 20 years younger than I am!“

She was very social and loved organizing events.

So patient with all her kids, she loved Laura, Lisa and Chris so much.  And she loved her four grandchildren Kellianne, Matthew, Libby, and Margot, and was so proud of them all.

Most of all she loved her late husband, Anthony, who she met at a high school mixer dance in Newark and then married after he finished his service in the army, and built a beautiful life with.  

She obtained her college degree at night, while raising us as young children.

She loved cooking delicious meals for the family.   And especially treating us at Christmas.

She loved, traveling the world, taking her kids to the beach, reading books – especially mysteries, and playing games from Bridge to Farkle to Casino.  

We were so lucky to have her as our mom.  We will miss her forever, but know she is joining our dad in a better place.    They were married 52 years till his passing in 2012.  

We love you, Mom

Chris, Lisa, and Laura