HEIDORN, BONNIE JEAN

HEIDORN, BONNIE JEAN
Bonnie Jean
(Sayre) Heidorn
March 9, 1946
August 20, 2025
Bonnie Jean (Sayre) Heidorn passed away on August 20, 2025, at Harmar Place in Marietta, Ohio, from complications of diabetes. She was 79 years old. Bonnie's niece, Sarah Goocey, and her nephew, Matt Heidorn were by her side as she peacefully entered heaven.
Bonnie was born on March 9, 1946, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She graduated from Middle Township High School in 1964, where she was a member of the Golf, Archery, and Bowling Clubs. She was also a cheerleader and was crowned Homecoming Queen. Bonnie then attended Shelton College, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in English in 1968. She was awarded the college's highest honor, the Academic Award, and received the Faculty Award as the senior who showed the greatest promise as a Christian Warrior. She was also one of two Shelton seniors selected by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Bonnie later earned her teaching certificate from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). She began her teaching career at Robert Erskine Elementary School in Ringwood, NJ but spent much of her 33+ year career teaching in the Stone Harbor School System.
Bonnie married Robert W. Heidorn on August 3, 1968, and together they lived in Cape May Court House until his passing in 2001. Bonnie and Bob taught together at Ringwood and Stone Harbor Schools, and during summers they worked side by side at their business, Court House Lawn Care. They enjoyed riding motorcycles and bicycles, target shooting, camping, swimming at Stone Harbor Beach, and walking the Wildwood boardwalk. Most of all, Bonnie and Bob cherished their dachshundsHeidi, Maggie, Jasper, and Rascal.
After Bob's passing, Bonnie continued to travel with her friends. She had a love for life, an adventurous spirit, and insatiable thirst for knowledge. Some of her favorite trips were to Alaska, Hawaii, and Ireland, but the journey she spoke of most fondly was to Canada, where she attended the Calgary Stampede and visited The Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise. Bonnie also took many trips to Ohio to visit family for holidays and to enjoy some shopping for Coach bags and Apple electronics. Bonnie was a devoted Philadelphia Phillies fan and enthusiastically cheered on the team throughout each baseball season. She was a member of the New Jersey Audubon Society, the Cape May Tennis Club, and the New Jersey Teachers Association. She especially enjoyed the annual planting of dune grass in Stone Harbor with her students. Bonnie loved western movies and television shows, namely the “Cheyenne” series with her favorite actor Clint Walker, which she regularly watched on the Western Channel until her passing.
Bonnie loved the Lord. She was a faithful attender of Covenant Bible Presbyterian Church in North Cape May and later The First Baptist Church of Cape May Court House, where she was active in the Fellowship Committee and the choir.
Bonnie was a kind and generous soul. Everyone who crossed her path left feeling better than before. She always expressed gratitude and had a gift for making others smile. Bonnie was incredibly appreciative of her caregivers at Glenwood Community and Harmar Place, her sunny disposition and heartfelt thank-yous never wavered even in her final days. Bonnie supported many charities, expressing her love for animals and interest in politics with donations to causes she felt strongly about.
Bonnie had dear and loyal lifelong friends, one of which is Carol Valleley Murnaghan who she met in the third grade and shared a 70+ year friendship with, up until Bonnie's final moments. Bonnie's sister-in-law, Ruth Heidorn was also a caring companion and helpful neighbor to Bonnie as her health declined.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Berkley N. Sayre; her mother, Doris Foster Sayre; and her husband, Robert W. Heidorn. She will be sorely missed by her surviving family.
A service and celebration of Bonnie's life will be held at The First Baptist Church of Cape May Court House, located at 101 S. Main Street, Cape May Court House, New Jersey, at 11:00 a.m. on September 8, 2025. Lunch will be served afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Baptist Church of Cape May Courthouse.