Barbara A. DeBonis, age 83 of Newark, DE passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025.
She was born in Wilmington and raised in Newport, DE and is the daughter of the late Alice and Vernon Cleaves. Barbara graduated from Conrad High School and then attended Brown VoTech.
She worked at the A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children and then later at Christiana Hospital in the housekeeping department. Barbara also worked a second job where she was a waitress at Woolworths Department Store, Prices Corner.
She enjoyed dining out with family and friends, animals; having many pets, collecting dolls and at Christmas time, decorating the house from inside to outside and top to bottom. Barbara liked to cut the grass and sit in the back yard.Her most cherished times were when she was with her family.
Her husband of 25 years, Edward A. DeBonis, Sr. died in 1996. Barbara is survived by her two children, Lisa A. Kemske (Michael) and Edward “Tony” DeBonis, Jr. (Angela Deccaro) and granddaughter, Angelique Rivera. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Colona.
A viewing will be held on Monday, March 10 from 10-11am at McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington where a funeral service will be held at 11 am. Burial will be at Bethel Cemetery, Chesapeake Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 165 Airport Rd, New Castle, DE 19720.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
