Obituary of Bonney Daubenspeck

Bonney C. Daubenspeck, died Saturday, January 25, 2014, at St. Vincent Hospital after an extended illness. She was born on August 26, 1943, a daughter of the late John Mark Cochran and Carol Russell Cochran. She was named after John R. Bonney, a family friend. Graduating from McDowell High School and Syracuse University, Bonney worked at Lyons Transportation Lines from 1973 until the company was sold to Sherwin Williams in 1987. She participated in hearings on deregulation of the trucking industry during that era. In addition, she was a Mistral Certified Boardsailing Instructor, and managed The Boardsailor, a family business from 1986 to 1993. Prior to her illness, Bonney was an avid runner, participating in a New York City Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, and Erie's Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Bonney sat on a number of boards, often being the first woman appointed to membership. She spoke of it being at the right place at the right time, wearing the right skirt. Among them were The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (1983 - 2001), The Erie Zoological Society (1991 - 2011), The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission (1996 - 1997) and The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (1997 - 2002). As transportation was her vocation, horticulture was her avocation. She was an enthusiastic orchid grower and served as a trustee of The American Orchid Society (1996 - 1998). She was a founding member of the Orchid Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and the society's first president. She was a member and past president of the Carrie T. Watson Garden Club. Along with her sisters, she was a recipient of the Edward C. Doll Community Service Award given by the Erie Community Foundation in 1998. She was preceded in death by a brother, John M. Cochran of Paris, France. She is survived by her dear husband, Dr. D. Grant Daubenspeck, two sisters, Constance (Peep) Brereton (Dr. William) of Erie, and Kathleen Rohm (Robert) of Sherman, NY, a brother, Peter Cochran (Helen) of Erie, PA. She is also survived by two daughters, Carolyn Lechner of Madison, Ohio and Nancy Dolan (T.J.) of Erie, PA, four stepsons, Dr. D. Cary Daubenspeck of Myrtle Beach, SC, Gregg A. Daubenspeck (Shelly) of Erie, PA, Lee G. Daubenspeck (Roxanne) of Rochester, NY, and Todd D. Daubenspeck (Kandy) of Palm Coast, FL. Bonney had ten grandchildren, Jared Stern and Elana Dolan of Erie, Maggie and Max Daubenspeck of Myrtle Beach, SC, Bree and Paige Daubenspeck of Erie, Hunter Daubenspeck of Rochester, NY, and Kennedy Daubenspeck, Logan, and Kole Bush of Palm Coast, FL. As directed by her wishes, burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family, followed by a future announcement of a memorial service in celebration of her life. The Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to: The Erie Zoological Society (for the benefit of the Botanical Garden), 438 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508 Or to: The Carrie T. Watson Garden Club Lecture Series, % PMB-104, 3330 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506