In loving memory of
Lucille Bonansinga
May 17, 2005
"Nothing is ever wasted, nothing is without value."
These were words to live by for long time Quincy businesswoman and loving humanitarian, Lucille Bonansinga, of 301 1/2 S. 4Th St, who passed away Tuesday, May 17th, 2005, at Sylvan Terrace Assisted Living Center in Clearwater, Florida. Mrs. Bonansinga was 88.
As sole proprietor of the landmark resale shop at the corner of York and 4th, she "clothed the world with love" (and a little help from slightly worn cast-offs found in closets and attics around the town).
Born on March 26th, 1917, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Guy E. Andrews and Nina Vancil Andrews, Lucille grew up in a large and loving family. She went to Quincy High School, and a few months after graduation, in 1935, married a talented local musician named William Bonansinga in Mt. Sterling. The couple had three children.
Mr. Bonansinga preceded Lucille in death on July 28th, 1943.
In 1959, Mrs. Bonansinga started her own business, The York Street Thrift Shop (now across from the Convention Center), becoming one of Quincy's pioneering business women. In a time when a single mother running her own business was a true rarity, the thrift shop caught on. But the real secret to the store's success was Lucille Bonansinga's humanity, her tenacious belief that every object has its value...just as every human being deserves respect.
This was probably the reason that her little enclave of resale shop and second floor shotgun apartment became such a haven for everyone from bargain shoppers to street people.
Throughout the last few years of her life, Lucille Bonansinga lived a full, rich existence tending to her store and her many other interests. She loved her ever expanding family, which soon included great grandchildren, her church -- Central Baptist -- and her many friends. She was active in the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class, and adored line dancing to country music.
"Grandma Lucy" (also known as "Tutie" and "Toolie" and "Lu" and "Luce" and "Lu-Eye-Cindy") will be deeply missed by her surviving family members which include 2 sons, Sully Bonansinga and his wife Diane of Huntley, IL, and William "Bill" Bonansinga and his wife Mary, of Cincinnati, OH; a daughter, Jane Stickler and her husband Kent of Clearwater, FLA; 8 grandchildren: Dr. Sara Allen and husband Craig of Naperville, IL, Jay Bonansinga and wife Jeanne of Evanston, IL, Katie Bonansinga and husband Dave of Los Cruses, NM, Tod Bonansinga of Huntley, IL, Jane McClaskey and husband Mark of Breman, OH, Guy Stickler of Clearwater, FLA, Emily Battistella and husband Gino of Cincinnati, OH, and Jon Bonansinga of Naperville, IL; 5 great grandchildren, Sara McClaskey of Bremen, OH, Andrew Jackson Stickler of Clearwater, FLA, Joe and Bill Bonansinga of Evanston, IL, and Dominick Bonansinga of Huntley, IL; and a sister, Mrs. L.J. "Jane" Parrick and husband Jay "Junior" Parrick of Quincy, IL. Lucille was also preceded in death by a brother, James Andrews, and a sister, Mary Grimmer.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20th, in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Hansen-Spear. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or Central Baptist Church.