Bonnie Jean O’Boyle, a beloved sister, aunt and active member of the of Bristol and Doylestown communities passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 18th at her home.
Bonnie was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania to the late Francis and Margaret O’Boyle the former owners and operators of Bristol’s O’Boyle’s Ice Cream and the King George Inn.
She graduated Valedictorian from Eden Hall in 1963, attended Newton College and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania.
After graduation, Bonnie began her career as a journalist, eventually taking on the role of editor at several publications. In 1984, Bonnie co-founded Power and Motoryacht magazine and served as Editor in Chief until 1990. Bonnie was the first female EIC of the boating magazine. During her tenure at Power and Motoryacht, it is legend that she coined the term “mega yacht”. Bonnie often spoke of her time spent with Malcolm Forbes, whom provided her with the words she lived by, “life is not a dress rehearsal.” She embodied this message with her full heart and encouraged others to as well. In 1978 Bonnie released Living Off the Sea, her first and only book to be published.
Upon her retirement, Bonnie found a second life contributing to many community and art organizations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She was an active member of the Bucks County SPCA, Bristol Riverside Theater, Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol Rotary Club, James A. Michener Art Museum, Bristol Educational Foundation, and the Grundy Foundation. Bonnie was a longtime board member for First Federal of Bucks County (Penn Community Bank).
In addition to her professional and philanthropic successes, Bonnie was an avid horseback rider, and enthusiastic piano player and she enjoyed traveling the world. But her greatest contribution to this world was as a loving sister, aunt and dear friend. Her influence on her family will impact many generations to come. She cared for those around her with gusto and loyalty and love. Bonnie had a unique way of paying detailed attention to those in her life and always had a meaningful card, box of chocolates, or great glass of wine at the ready.
Bonnie is survived by her cats, Sparky and Spunky, as well as her two horses, Finn and Fritz. Bonnie leaves behind her siblings Valerie (O’Boyle) Shartle, her husband, C. Stephen, of Telford and Margaret (O’Boyle) Ross, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She will forever remain the very first hero of her nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Evans) Cassel, her husband, Paul, of Harleysville, PA; Anthony D’Angelo, his wife, Elizabeth, of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; Matthew D’Angelo of Brooklyn, NY; Ashley Shartle of Philadelphia, PA and Alexandra Shartle, her husband, Brian Binsack, of Brooklyn, NY. Bonnie also was a prominent figure to her great-nieces and nephews, Sara and Shane Cassel, Dominic D’Angelo and Wynn Binsack. She remains in the heart of her longest and dear friends, Polly, Renee and Nick. Bonnie is preceded in death by her brother Francis O’Boyle of Bristol, PA.
Services and interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bonnie’s memory to the Bucks County SPCA,Post Office Box 277 Lahaska, PA 18931 or Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007.
