Thomaston – Bonnie M. Rice, 72, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. She

was the beloved wife of William E. Rice III for 39 years.

Bonnie was born in Waterbury on February 15, 1953, daughter of the late Harold Ellis

and Oneita (Gordinier) Ellis. Bonnie was raised in Thomaston, but resided in

Watertown for many years.

Bonnie lived with sunshine in her soul; a vivacious free spirit displayed by her

charismatic magnetism everyone felt around her. While nourishing her soul with

her innate affinity to plants, flowers and nature; nonetheless always cooking from

her heart she brought everyone together leading to her greatest joy which was

family.

Including her husband, William, Bonnie is survived by her children, Damian Ellis,

and his wife, Shirley, Chelsea L. Smith, and her husband, Jason, and Sirena Rice; her

grandchildren, Damian Ellis Jr., and his wife, Heather, Aurelia Smith, Alyse Ellis, and

Vayda Smith; her great-grandchildren, Lilie and Mia; her siblings, Gerald Ellis,

Charles Ellis, Ronald Ellis, and Diana Parker; her devoted friend Bruce Harkness; her

brothers in law, Peter Rice and Paul Rice; her sisters in law, Claudia Sauer and

Audrey Bis; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Including her parents, Bonnie was predeceased by her son in law, Ryan Doyle; her

sister in law, Marcia Hathaway; and brother in law, Allen Rice.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at

Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High Street, Thomaston. Entombment will be held at 11:00

a.m. Monday, Novemeber 3 directly at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 669 Platt Road,

Watertown.

To leave notes of comfort for Bonnie's family, please visit her tribute wall

at www.lyonsfuneralhome.com.