Bonnie Hallar Bergdoll 87, a longtime resident of Oak Brook, passed away peacefully July 22 in Naples, Fla.
Bonnie was born in 1933 in Peoria and graduated from Pekin High School, where she began her lifelong thirst for and appreciation of knowledge.
She attended Western Illinois University and graduated from San Jose State University with a major in English Literature and a minor in Music.
With her beautiful red hair, Bonnie worked as a professional runway and print model in San Francisco and also taught finishing/modeling school for teenagers. Her most satisfying career of all was motherhood.
Bonnie lived a very active and fulfilling life with her family, friends and many passions including reading, philanthropy, tennis, golf, bridge, theater and playing her cherished piano. She started a book club in every city she lived and was a Life Master Bridge player. She later enjoyed wintering in Naples, where she spent time with or talking about her grandchildren. Bonnie was known for telling a great story, her sense of the ridiculousness, her ability to carry on a conversation about anything, and her generosity.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert, Sr.
She is survived by her children, Robert Bergdoll, Jr., Howard (Susan) Bergdoll III, Alison (Jim) Pollitt and Jennifer (Tom) Lavins; her grandchildren, Howard IV, Sabrina and Daniel Bergdoll, Ashley and Courtney Bergdoll, Bradley, Lauren and Olivia Pollitt, and Gillian and Lucy Lavins; and her survived her brother, Raymond Hallar.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org, and friends are invited to sign Bonnie's Tribute Wall at https://www.powellfuneraldirectors.com.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
