Barbara “Bonnie” Joan Sawicki Tolbert

Barbara “Bonnie” Joan Sawicki Tolbert, 81, of Gonzales, Texas, entered peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Born on June 14, 1941 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, daughter of the late Stanley W. Sawicki, Sr. and Wanda B. Gorosz Sawicki, on February 24, 1961, she married Gordon Lane Tolbert of San Antonio, Texas. 

Bonnie was a 1959 graduate of Stratford High School, Stratford, Connecticut. After graduation, she worked as a stenographer and secretary, and raised their three children while Gordon served in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1974, they moved to Gonzales, TX. She and her husband shared an entrepreneurial spirit and founded Property Research and Documentation Service, Inc. in 1985. Bonnie continued to work until just months prior to her passing. They taught all three of their children the title research business and many of their grandchildren worked with them throughout the years, creating a lasting legacy. 

Bonnie’s family was her joy. She loved Jesus and devoted her life to glorify and honor God as daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend (Prov. 31). From an early age, she taught her children that Jesus is our Savior, taught them how to pray, and did her best to answer their Bible questions (Deut. 11:18-21). She embraced her Polish heritage by celebrating Christmas Eve and Easter with traditions that focused on Jesus as Lord and Savior. Her kids have fond memories of a clean house, clean clothes, and homecooked meals being on the table like clockwork. 

She loved being outdoors whether at the beach, the lake, in the snow or sitting on her front porch watching the children play. She loved animals and always dreamed of having a horse farm. She and Gordon had a small farm, raising goats, chickens, pigs and a calf, and growing vegetables and roses. She especially loved Holstein cows and her house was decorated with a whole herd of them! 

When people speak of Bonnie, they say she was sweet, kind and quiet, yet had a quick wit and sense of humor. Her grandchildren say she was the “best grandma/granni/gramcracker/grandmoo ever!” One special memory they have is the paper grocery bags she would decorate for each of the grandchildren, filled with all their favorite goodies.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon L. Tolbert, brother, Stanley “Lee” Sawicki, and son-in-law, John Burke Anderson. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Joy Kreusel of San Antonio and Gloria Sawicki of Pennsylvania; her brother, Gerry Saddler and wife, Dee, of South Carolina; her children, Gordon Tolbert and wife, Sharon, Elizabeth Anderson, widow of John, and Suzanne “Jennyfer” Sakiewicz and husband, Ed; 11 grandchildren, Jonathan Anderson and wife, Nicole, Dustin Tolbert and wife, Sally, Jeremy Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Jensen Anderson, Hayley Anderson, Eddie Sakiewicz, Brenton Sakiewicz, Preston Tolbert, Alek Sakiewicz and Jadyn Anderson, and 8 greatgrandchildren, Logan, twins Lunaria and Solaria, Girian, Lynx, Ramona, Bella and Jemaria.

A mass in celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Church, 111 Barilla Place, Alamo Heights, her burial at 1:30 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, followed by a reception at St. Peter’s Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Christian or family services charity of your choice.

To share your condolences please visit Bonnie’s online memorial at https://gonzalesinquirer.com/obituaries/