Bonnie Mae Weigel Franklin

Bonnie Franklin of Manchester, Vermont, died peacefully in her home on August 18, 2020. Bonnie was born in Newark, New Jersey, on January 19, 1945 to Winifred Doris Hunt and Ernest Otto Weigel. After Highschool she entered All Souls Hospital School of Nursing from where she graduated in 1969. After attending St. Josephs College in Maine, she found work at the Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, New Jersey, where she served in the ICU and Dialysis Unit. Around 1990 she and her husband Peter Franklin, a Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, retired to a farm in Manchester, Vermont. Bonnie and Peter poured their love of the land, of animals, and of wholesome living into their small Sialia Farm where they raised sheep, chickens, and turkeys. One thing led to another, and Bonnie learned how to dye the wool from her own sheep, card and spin the wool and then became an avid knitter. And true to her desire to share her passions and her joys, she created a knitting circle of friends. Besides her dedication to the farm and to her sheep, Bonnie was also seeking ways to expand her love for gardening and her concern for the health and welfare of those in her community and beyond. She became involved in mission-oriented volunteer work in the First Congregational Church of Manchester and the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert. She was a faithful member of the Manchester Garden Club where she always cheerfully participated in any work projects no matter how demanding they were. At Hildene she was dedicated to reviving the Kitchen and Cutting Gardens. For her and Peter’s passionate commitment to the mission of Hildene, they were both inducted into the Hildene Friends Walk. Bonnie also participated in several book clubs and yoga groups. Always concerned about healthy life choices and the accessibility to good health care, she was instrumental in promoting the need for the Battenkill Valley Health Center in Arlington. Throughout all the circles of her friends she exhibited the qualities of kindness and consideration and approached all tasks with her unique positive attitude and gentle sense of humor. It felt good to be in Bonnie’s presence for she imparted a sense of unconditional acceptance and affirmation of us and of life. Bonnie is predeceased by her husband Peter and her sister, Kathleen Durham. She leaves behind a large family of four step children, eight step grandchildren, and five step great grandchildren. The time and location of a private memorial service for family and friends will be announced at a future date.