Obituary of Lavonia Koricic

November 5, 1926 - August 5, 2022

Lavonia "Bonnie" Kenney.  Age 95 of Wyandotte.

Lavonia Kenney was born in Muskegon Heights on November 5, 1926. She was one of seven children born from the union of Frank B. and Anna (Kerchak) Kenney. Bonnie as she would become commonly known, would meet the love of her life, Anthony Koricic, and the couple was joined in Holy Matrimony on June 7, 1947, at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Melvindale, Michigan. Soon the couple was blessed with the birth of four daughters of their own. Bonnie was fortunate to stay at home caring for the needs of her husband and raising her daughters.   She was proud to prepare and provide them a hot meal every day.

Bonnie was the consummate caregiver and an amazing host.  Service to others brought her great joy and the ability to create events providing those in attendance with a delicious meal, tasty treats, and most importantly great company. Anyone visiting Bonnie or her family always were made to feel as though they were expected and welcomed.

As an excellent pastry chef, Bonnie would make the most mouthwatering Eastern European treats for her family and any visiting guest to enjoy. Bonnie mastered her baking skills not from any formal training or classes, but from assisting her mother.  Her poppy seed kolache, walnut bread, strudels and pies were crowd pleasing favorites. She was not just a great pastry chef, but an awesome cook as well. She created many heartwarming soups and stews and the tastiest stuffed cabbages and stuffed peppers known to man. As the self-proclaimed, “Tupperware Queen”, Bonnie would often claim Tupperware pieces that were not hers. She would always make certain her family and friends carried home another meal for the next day. However, she would not send them off with her beloved reusable containers, but a generic brand instead.

Bonnie was sure to pack a great sense of humor wherever she went.   As a stranger to none, she was guaranteed to strike up a conversation and be comfortable with anyone she encountered.   Being raised a proper lady, Bonnie was never seen smoking her Virginia slim, ultra-light menthols in public, and the habit certainly did not inhibit her ability to belt out a tune, her favorite being that of “Always In My Heart”.   When parting ways, she shared her signature line “you’re always in my heart”.

Bonnie cherished her relationship with her mother and pa.   Many times, she could be found playing a spirited game of cards with the duo, who were not just her parents but her friends as well.

Bonnie Koricic, age 95, of Wyandotte, passed away at Select Specialty at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital at 7:29pm on Friday; August 5, 2022.   Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband: Anthony; one daughter: Marilyn King; and a baby daughter: “Francy”, who was just a few days old.

To cherish her memory, she leaves: two daughters: Anna Brown and Toni Stuart; one sister: Marilyn Jurko; one brother: John Kenney; five grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren with one more due in early October.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. Friends may gather on Thursday; August 11, 2022, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Molnar Funeral Home, Nixon Chapel; 2544 Biddle Avenue; Wyandotte, Michigan 48192.   A Funeral Service Celebrating Her Life led by Fr. Brendan McCarrick will take place at 7:00pm also at Molnar. Cremation by Covenant Cremation of Erie will follow.

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