Bonnie J. Brilinski-Leonard

Loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020. Age 73 years. Bonnie was born on September 21, 1947, to Melvin and Catherine (Bushey) Baker of Alpena, Michigan. She was the first child of six born to her parents and learned very quickly how to care for others and give of herself. Bonnie was raised in Alpena and a 1965 graduate of Alpena High School. After graduating from high school Bonnie attended the General Motors Institute and worked as a bookkeeper and office manager in Saginaw. Bonnie married Thomas Brilinski in Alpena on October 8, 1966. Tom predeceased her on December 13, 2004. On November 23, 2007, Bonnie married Donald Leonard in Saginaw, where the couple has resided.

Surviving besides her husband Donald Leonard are two children, Scott (MaryJo) Brilinski, Saginaw; Beth (Dennis) Hamel, Sparta; four grandchildren, Michael Hamel, Sparta; Katie (Nathan) Bailey, Sterling Heights; Alexis and Kayle Brilinski, Saginaw; step-children, Ross Leonard, Brighton; Doug (Michele) Leonard, Kalamazoo; John (Denise) Leonard, Bloomfield; step-grandchildren, Lauren and Anna Leonard, both of Detroit; Miles and Reese Leonard, both of Kalamazoo; Zoe, Sawyer and Reagan Leonard, Bloomfield; her sister, Karen (Tom) Werth, Hyannis, NE; brothers, Patrick (Pauleen) Baker, Minnie's Gap, WY; Gerald (Cleo) Baker, Charlotte; Paul (Mark) Baker, Las Vegas, NV; sister and brothers-in-law, Don ( Marty) Paquette, Alpena; brothers-in-law, Marv (Pat) Brilinski, West Branch, MI; Allan (Sally) Brilinski, Ossineke; many nieces, nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by her brother, Michael in 1999.

Bonnie will also be missed by many friends and family, especially at the golf course. Bonnie could always be counted on by family and friends to be loyal, caring, and sincere. If you wanted something done you could always count on her. Her grandchildren were a very important part of her life and will eternally grateful for the memories she made with them together.

Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Rd., Saginaw. Rev. Fr. Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church where the family will be present on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. In accordance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ordinance, the limitations of number gathered, mask wearing and social distancing will be observed. For those that wish to attend the service remotely, please use the following link https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/71058405 on Tuesday beginning at 10:55 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.