DENVILLE, New Jersey — Bonnie S. Dean (Smith), 67, of Denville, New Jersey, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Morristown Memorial Hospital after a short battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Born and raised in Jonesport, and later moved to the Midcoast town of St. George, Maine where she graduated from Georges Valley High School in 1974. Later attending and graduating from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine where she met her future husband, Tom.

She had a natural passion for being a caretaker of her family, whether it was her children, her children’s friends, her grandchildren, or her pets. She loved to read a good book, walk on the beach by the ocean, especially the coast of Maine, where she would often indulge in her favorite, a Maine lobster. She was a collector of sweatshirts that she would often wear, particularly hoodies, but only after the hood was cut off.

Bonnie was a fantastic cook (even though it wasn’t her favorite thing to do) and was happy to host friends, family, and friends of family for any holiday or gatherings. She was always happy to add an extra chair to the table, and include anyone who needed a little extra love. She had the greenest thumb and could bring any plant back to life and often would break pieces of plants off in random places to propagate much to Tom’s chagrin.

Her greatest quality was her ability to love you for who you are with no judgment or agenda to change you.

She was predeceased by her mother, Wahneta June (Dressler) Smith, and also by her sister Crystal Hunter.

Bonnie is survived by her beloved husband of 44 years, Thomas Dean; her loving children, Courtney and her husband Dan Lattanzi, Kristen Wright, and Travis and his wife Jenna Wood Dean all of Denville.

Also surviving are her cherished grandchildren, Isla Lattanzi, Dean Wright, and Jack Robert Dean.

Her father, Larry W. Smith and his significant other Linda McFarland; her siblings Larry, and his wife Alice Smith, and Darren Smith; and nieces and nephews Brandan and his wife Hannah, Amanda, April, Jacob and his wife Jessica, and Martin, all survive her.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 2 to 7 p.m., at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Denville, New Jersey.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to the Denville Animal Shelter by way of www.inmemof.org.