Bonnie Herold McCabe

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Bonnie H. McCabe, born April 8, 1951, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 3, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She left the world after spending her final days with her husband, John; her sons, Brian and David; her dogs, Abby and Zoe; and a loving community of friends who brought enormous comfort to her in the final stages of life.
 
Raised in Scarsdale, New York, Bonnie attended the University of Rochester, where she met her husband of nearly fifty years, John. She taught math at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and, even after leaving the classroom to start a family, never gave up her love of teaching. She continued to educate and mentor through tutoring and the Community Learning and Information Center (CLIC) in Manlius, which she founded.
 
Anyone following Bonnie’s Facebook page knew the joy she found in everyday life. She travelled the world, preferably by cruise ship, and was quick to meet new people and share the tales of her travels with her Facebook community. Her family will miss those posts, but forever delight in their memory. As she experienced new things and different cultures, especially on her travels, she found enormous joy in the world around her. Back at home, she was an exceptional host, regularly entertaining friends and throwing parties at her house in Cazenovia. There could never be too many people at a party she threw.
 
Bonnie found enormous satisfaction in her work throughout the community. She was devoted to the Advocates for Upstate Medical University, the Food Pantry of Madison County (Caz Cares) and the Temple Society of Concord Food Pantry, the ABetter Chance (ABC) Program in Manlius, the Cazenovia Garden Club, and many other groups. Early on, she was active in the Fayetteville-Manlius Parent-Teacher Association – much to the dismay of her children at the time, although they embraced her community spirit later in life. She lovingly and enthusiastically organized a weekly sewing group to make pillowcases for people in the hospital, at the Rescue Mission, at Ronald McDonald House, through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and elsewhere. Over the years, their pillowcases brought comfort to more than 28,000 people. Suffice it to stay that if you needed a helping hand, Bonnie was there to selflessly lend one.
 
She also loved music of all types. After many years of neglect, she dusted off her childhood violin and organized a string quartet which practiced every week at her home, even during the dark days of COVID. They were always willing to share their music with others at community and charity events. She was also an active participant in the New Horizons community orchestra.
 
Bonnie was an avid fan of Syracuse basketball, eventually earning the nickname Coach Bonheim for her armchair coaching of the team. In time, she would come to adopt the moniker as her Instagram handle. Although she never loved anyone more fiercely than she loved her family, Gerry McNamara of the 2003 Syracuse Championship squad came close.  
 
On earth, she leaves behind a family grateful for her boundless, unconditional love – although unprepared to deal with the food that remains in the pantry and freezer. She was adored, if sometimes agitated by, her husband, John and her sons, Brian and David. She also leaves behind a brother, Ron; a daughter-in-law, Jill; and two grandchildren who lit up her life, Connor andCharlotte. Wherever she goes next, she joins her eldest son, Kevin, and her parents, Carol and Ben, who predeceased her.
 
Weeks before she passed, she insisted that she didn’t want anyone to fuss over her – but she’s not here anymore. She spent a life fussing over other people, and in her honor, if Bonnie meant something to you, if she touched your life, or if you’d just like to fuss over her, her family invites you to a celebration at her home in Cazenovia on Saturday, August 16th beginning at 1 pm with a short program at 2 pm.  
 
Too much food and drink will be served. As she always said “just come, you don’t need to bring anything”.
 
Donations in Bonnie’s memory can be directed to CazCares (cazcares.org), or the Cazenovia Garden Club (PO Box 54, Cazenovia, NY 13035)