Bonnie Jo Wesley, 73, passed away in her home in Andover on August 13, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. She was born March 23, 1949, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to William Victor Bredthauer of Georgetown, Texas, and Marion Elizabeth Bredthauer of Worcester, Massachusetts. After her parents’ divorce, she spent her formative years between Massachusetts and Texas until her father settled in Worcester with his second wife, Barbara Bredthauer.

Bonnie graduated in 1967 from South High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she later married her high school sweetheart, Carl Wesley of Concord, New Hampshire. Bonnie and Carl moved to Houston, Texas, where she worked as a mainframe programmer for many years. During her time in Texas, she made many friends, gave birth to her son, Samuel Wesley, divorced her husband, and became her mother’s full-time caretaker. She eventually relocated to Andover, where she resided for the rest of her life.

Bonnie and Carl reconnected after her mother’s death and were remarried in 2011. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2012. She came out of retirement in 2014 to work as Town Clerk for the Town of Andover, where she faithfully served her community until her second retirement in 2021. After two months at home, she came out of retirement for a second time to work as a caretaker for Woodcrest Village Assisted Living in New London, until her cancer diagnosis the following January.

Bonnie was also an active member at the Andover Community Church (formerly the Andover Congregational Church) for many years, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Bonnie loved puzzles, dogs, flowers, and home-cooked meals. She loved to travel, whether cruising on Carl’s Harley, road tripping across the United States with her son, or her recent trips to Europe. She loved meeting new people, tasting new cuisines, seeing new sights, and sharing new experiences. Everywhere she went, she left behind new friends. She was kind, caring, generous, and compassionate. She had a warm, adventurous spirit and never lost her sense of wonder. All who met her were blessed to know her, and she is sorely missed.

Bonnie is survived by her four brothers, Don Bredthauer of Burleson, Texas, Dennis Bredthauer of Centreville, Virginia, David Bredthauer of Brooklyn, New York, and Bill Bredthauer of Hopewell Junction, New York; her sister, Jane Gargulinski of Petersham, Massachusetts; and her son, Samuel Wesley of Andover. She is predeceased by her parents, William Victor Bredthauer and Marion Elizabeth Bredthauer; her step-mother, Barbara Jane Bredthauer; and her husband, Carl Wesley.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 2 PM at the Andover Community Church. All are welcome. Please bring flowers.

Donations to help cover expenses can be made at gofund.me/e11cdcbb.