Barbara M. Bonifaci

Barbara. Bonifaci

Bob and Barbara

Barbara Marilyn Phillips Bonifaci flew with the angels on the evening of June 7, 2022.  Born on February 11, 1928 in Boston to Edward Max Phillips and Dora Ann Davis Phillips.  After graduating from Somerville High School, she obtained a certificate as a medical laboratory technician from the Boston Dispensary in 1948.  At a dance, she met a Tufts Medical College student from West Seattle named Robert Bonifaci.  They married after his graduation in 1949 and drove across the country to Spokane where Bob was starting an internship at Deaconess Hospital.

Following a cold, hard winter that had 92”of snow and -24° temperatures, Barbara noticed an ad in the Spokane post office about a medical residency program in Panama.  With a newborn daughter in tow, Bob and Barbara  moved to the Canal Zone in 1950 where Bob worked as a pathology resident at Gorgas Memorial Hospital.  Their second child, a son, was born there.  After two years, Bob, Barbara, and family returned to Spokane where their third child, a daughter, was born during his residency at Deaconess.  Another daughter was born in Seattle at Doctors Hospital during Bob’s final year of residency.  They then settled in Wenatchee, where Bob opened a pathology practice and was elected Chelan County Coroner.  After their children were raised, Barbara served on the board of the Chelan County Migrant Health agency and was a member of the local hospital guild. She also was a hospital volunteer, accruing over 6800 hours of service. In 1971, Barbara served as the head of a newly formed Wenatchee Resident Board for the Department of Social and Health services, which was created to protect neglected and abused children. She also served as Deputy Coroner of  Chelan County and on the county elections board.

Barbara enjoyed traveling with Bob around the northwest region for vacations at popular resorts. In 1990, they moved to Redmond, WA to be near their children and grandchildren.  After Bob’s passing in 2002, she continued in her favorite role as “Nana” to the grandchildren and later “Granny” to the great-grandchildren.  Her later years were spent at a retirement home in Woodinville where she enjoyed group outings to local casinos and restaurants.  Her birthday milestones were often the scenes of large family gatherings in the banquet room of one of her favorite Italian restaurants.

She is survived by children Marilyn Bowen (Rudy) of Bothell, Paul Bonifaci (Judith) of Bothell, Janet Yates of Bothell, and Diane Shaw (Chris) of Redmond.  Barbara was the grandmother of Peter, Emily, Megan, Justin, Stacie, Lauren, and Caitlin.  She is also survived by nine great-granddaughters, her brother Paul Phillips of Kirkland, and several nieces and nephews.  Her family will greatly miss her presence in their lives.

Barbara now has a new home, a new address, where she will live in comfort and peace with her deceased loved ones.  The family will be holding private gatherings to celebrate Barbara’s life.

Donations in her name may be made to Homeward Pet Adoption Center of  Woodinville.