Bonnie Foreman's Obituary
FOREMAN, Bonnie Brown devoted wife, dedicated teacher, steadfast friend, magnanimous philanthropist, and most kind, generous, and lovely soul, passed away on January 2, 2023. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to William and Jeanne Brown, Bonnie moved with her family to Miami Springs, Florida, when she was five, and she grew up swimming, skiing, boating, and playing tennis. The family enjoyed many trips to the lake cottage Bill built in Lake Placid, Florida, and a months' long trip to California visiting all the national parks on the way to Disneyland. After graduating from Hialeah High school, Bonnie attended Stetson University where she met and married the love and center of her life, Edward Foreman. They were pretty much inseparable for the thirty-seven years they were married, until Ed's death in 2004. They traveled extensively to New York City as well as to many other domestic, European, and Caribbean destinations, often in aircraft piloted by Ed. To know Bonnie was to love her. Her kindness and generosity (absolutely worth repeating) of spirit were boundless and multi-faceted. Bonnie had a heart for children. She taught hundreds of lucky fifth graders and third graders over her thirty-four-year career at Gulfport Elementary School. The love, learning, wisdom, and gifts she showered on them were inevitably absorbed and passed down to their own children. What a legacy. Bonnie and Ed had a heart for animals, wanting them to get the care and protection they needed until they found their forever homes. After Ed passed away, Bonnie honored him and the animals they loved by donating the funds to build the Edward D. Foreman Adoption Center at the SPCA Tampa Bay. As CEO Martha Bodin noted, "This facility celebrates the joy of both the families and the pets as they start their new lives together." What a legacy. Bonnie had a heart for Stetson University and the Stetson University College of Law, where Ed earned his Juris Doctor degree. Bonnie served on the university's Board of Trustees and the law school's Board of Overseers, and in 2010 she and Ed were inducted into the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame. Bonnie created many channels by which to support law students, the school, and its missions. She funded the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award given to a graduate with standout passion for the legal profession and commitment to community service and to paying it forward. Today the recipients view themselves as an ever-growing Foreman family, with twenty-four to date. Bonnie established the Edward D. Foreman Scholarship. Bonnie also funded the Foreman Biodiversity Fellow position which allows the institute to expand its work and impact. In addition, she gifted the Edward and Bonnie Foreman Biodiversity Lecture Series, which brings in speakers from a variety of backgrounds and from all over the world to discuss timely environmental issues, among many other gifts. What a legacy. But Bonnie was and did so much more. She was a mother figure to dozens of law students, sister figure and confidante to dozens of friends, and benefactor to hundreds of people, though many of them never even knew it. Bonnie was kindness personified. She was quick to give compliments and say nice things to every person, regardless of their status: She inspired people to be their best. What a legacy. Bonnie's sister, Cheryl appreciates "Bonnie's devotion to our father during the last year of his life. Bonnie flew to the east coast twice a month to visit him and sent him peach-colored roses every week." Long-time friend and attorney Jim Martin still remembers Ed and Bonnie's closeness and what good care Bonnie took of Ed while he was sick. "That really put her in the angel-on-earth category. Bonnie was a friend for life, for Ed and many, many others. Always gracious, supportive, and positive, using her resources for good." Andrew Chiang, the first recipient of the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award, is grateful that "Bonnie was a wonderful sounding board when life presented me with forks in the road. On another note, I attended numerous events with Bonnie. She captured a room like no one else." For Chris Sprowls, recently retired Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a recipient of the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award, Bonnie was "a very special person, important to me at important times in my life." Roy Gardner, Co-Director of the Stetson University College of Law Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, values "the seed funding Bonnie gave that allowed the Biodiversity Institute to expand its work nationally and internationally, leading to internship and service opportunities for Stetson students." Erin Okuno, the first Edward Foreman Biodiversity Fellow, came to consider Bonnie a friend. "Bonnie had the ability to see the best in everyone. I hope that we can honor her by always paying it forward and keeping kindness alive." Circuit Court Judge Pamela Campbell and Stetson University College of Law worked with Bonnie who sponsored Constitution Hall at the Gus Stavros Institute. The Constitution Hall curriculum teaches seventh and eighth graders about the value of the three branches of government and how, as adults, they can become civically active and make a difference in their nation. Thousands of students from Pinellas County and around the state attend Constitution Hall each year. Judge Campbell attende the grand opening with Bonnie. "She was thrilled to marry her love of students with her love of government and the law." Many of her friends happily remember Bonnie's approach to meals and to life: Eat dessert first. Bonnie was a warm and gracious host, whether the party was huge or just two. Her beautiful spirit and breathtaking smile are unforgettable. Lucky indeed are those whose lives were touched by Bonnie Foreman. Bonnie is survived by her sisters, Cheryl Peters (Burdette Lamar) of Houston, Texas, and Patti (Bob) Allalunis of Tres Piedras, New Mexico; her brother-in-law, Robert Foreman, and her sister-in-law, Susan Foreman, of Spring Hill, Florida, who were of invaluable aid in Bonnie's last years of life; and her nephews, Matthew Foreman, Patrick Foreman, Darrin Foreman, Mark Peters, Kevin Peters, Jonas Allalunis, and George Allalunis, and her niece, Anna Allalunis. Visitation will be at Memorial Park, 5950 49th St. N., St. Petersburg, on Saturday, January 14, 10:30-11:30 am. Service will be at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Stetson University College of Law (Institute for Biodiversity), 1401 61st Street S., Gulfport, FL 33707, or SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Avenue N., Largo, Florida 33773. Memorial Park Funeral Home
Her memory will be remembered and honored with services followed by placement at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery on Saturday, January 14, 2023, starting at 10:30 AM.
What’s your fondest memory of Bonnie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bonnie?
Share a story where Bonnie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bonnie you’ll never forget.
How did Bonnie make you smile?
