Longtime parish volunteer and credit-union worker remembered in Wilmington area
Barbara Lydia Bonavitacola (née Gantz), a devoted wife, mother and volunteer with deep ties to communities around Wilmington, died July 31, 2026, in Newark, Delaware. She was the subject of funeral arrangements that reflect a life spent inside family kitchens and parish halls as much as in local credit unions where she worked later in life.
Bonavitacola’s life bridged neighborhoods in Wilmington's orbit. Though formerly of South Philadelphia, she spent her final days in Newark and is survived by children and extended family who live in Arizona and Hockessin, among other places. Her obituary, provided by Doherty Funeral Homes, notes both private devotion to family and long involvement in church ministries that served elderly and homebound residents across the region.
Family services are scheduled in Pennsylvania. A viewing will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 430 Valleybrook Road in Glen Mills, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at noon and interment in the adjoining parish cemetery.
Parish ministry and community care
Throughout her life, Bonavitacola balanced family responsibilities with outreach work anchored in parish life. She and her husband, John Bonavitacola, served together in marriage preparation ministry and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the charitable organization known for assisting neighbors in need. Later, Barbara served as a Minister of Care, a role in which volunteers visit and support the elderly and homebound — a significant local resource for residents who rely on parish networks for companionship and practical assistance.
"passed peacefully into Eternal life on July 31, 2026, in Newark, Delaware."
The care she provided reflects a volunteer infrastructure that operates in many Wilmington-area parishes and social-service networks: volunteers who deliver communion, offer home visits and provide practical support. Those roles, while often low-profile, create ties that sustain older residents and families across the region.
Family and community legacy
Bonavitacola was preceded in death by her husband, John Bonavitacola, and her daughter, Susan Kutys. Her survivors include:
- Son: Rev. John M. Bonavitacola of Mesa, Arizona
- Daughter: Ann Procope (Domenico) of Hockessin, Delaware
- Siblings: Ronald Gantz (Mary) and Lydia Lill (Ron)
- Nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren carry forward the family presence in the region and beyond; several grandchildren were named in the funeral notice, including Matthew Kutys, Anna Godlewski and Gregory Kutys, along with members of the Procope family.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Children | 2 |
| Grandchildren | 9 |
| Great-grandchildren | 12 |
Work and personal life
After raising a family, Bonavitacola worked for several credit unions before retiring, according to the funeral notice. Her work in financial institutions aligns with a common pathway for many local women of her generation who entered community-oriented workplaces after family caregiving roles. She was also known for her baking — in particular, her chocolate chip cookies — a detail that underscores how personal traditions often become communal memories within close-knit parishes and neighborhoods.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to The FullCircle Program, 1955 W. Baseline Road, Suite 113-431, Mesa, AZ 85202, or online at www.fullcircleprogram.com. The FullCircle Program supports bereavement resources and family services, linking the family's wishes to organizations that serve communities beyond the Wilmington area.
Services and family names were provided by Doherty Funeral Homes. The notice reflects the interwoven lives of parish volunteers, credit-union employees and multigenerational families that shape civic life in Wilmington and nearby communities.
