Shirley Harrold Bonner
Age 91 of O’Hara Township, formerly of Shadyside and Edgewood, on Thursday, November 19, 2020. She was born July 22, 1929 to Erma Dorothy Ruppert and William Dewitt Harrold, Jr. After her mother’s death, her father married her beloved stepmother Laura Josephine Hoover Harrold. All of them predeceased her. She attended schools in Pittsburgh and Kittanning, and then was graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. She married Joseph A. Bonner in 1956, and they soon started a family of Margaret "Meg" L. Bonner of New York City and Joseph "Jeb" E. Bonner of Palm Springs, CA, both of whom survive her. She and Joe were married for 63 years when he died in 2019. Joe’s career led them to Norwalk, OH, DuBois, PA, and Pittsburgh. In 1976 they moved to Antwerp, Belgium where she immersed herself in the history of the Low Countries and led to her return to the University of Pittsburgh where she received her Ph.D. She would later write a history of Margaret of Austria, Fortune, Misfortune, Fortifies One. She was a life-long student, teacher, and reader. She was happiest when she was reading. She taught at Antwerp International School, Community College of Allegheny County, and at the Learning Center at Chatham University, and published several articles on business communications. She greatly enjoyed her students. She was predeceased by her younger sister Nancy, as well as by two of her sister’s children including Tina Yingling who she considered a second daughter. Her niece Rebecca (Becky) Walker of Ohio, nephew Jacob (Jake) Yingling of Roaring Spring, and great-niece DorieSue Walker and her three children survive her. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law and friend Mary Bonner Miller, and generations of nephews and nieces on the Bonner side of her family, and by her cousin Dr. Sarah Garner Gustafson of West Lafayette, IN as well as nieces, nephews and many friends. During her lifetime, she served in several worthwhile organizations and was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and the American Association of University Women. She and her husband were members and supporters of Westmoreland County Baltzer Meyer Historical Society. A memorial service was held Friday December 4th at 2 p.m. at Lighthouse Pointe Village at Chapel Harbor, O'Hara Twp. She was laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Joseph at Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh. Donations in her honor can be sent to Parkview EMS, 200 Margery Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, who gently supported Shirley in her final year.
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