Sandra (Sandy) Maureen Bonilla, 82, passed away on October 25, 2025. Her life was a tapestry of love, wisdom, generosity, intelligence, gratitude, and an incredible sense of humor.

Sandy was preceded in death by her grandparents John R. Keith and Theresa Louise Leatherwood Keith and parents, Nicholas L. Bonilla and Opal Keith Bonilla. Sandy’s grandparents helped raise her, after her father, part of the 101 St Airborne Division, 502 nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, died in battle during World War II, leaving her mother, Opal, a widow and single mother.

Born and raised in Irondale, Alabama, Sandy was encouraged by family and teachers to pursue college. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degree from Jacksonville State University after only three years in attendance.

Seeking a better life for her family, Sandy moved and worked in Atlanta as a college professor for 30 years teaching literature, journalism, and film. She also led ski trips with her students to Colorado for several years. During Sandy’s time teaching, she worked diligently and received her doctorate from Auburn University. As a professor, Sandy went above and beyond to encourage and support her students, especially those who had limited resources, by helping them secure scholarships and funding for their education.

After retirement, Sandy moved to Saint Simons Island, GA to live out her dreams where she enjoyed cycling, along with serving in Newcomers Club, Garden Club and Flower Guild at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church where she was a member. She had a passion for fostering puppies, working in her yard, reading and walking on the beach with her sidekick golden retriever, Missy. Sandy enjoyed discussing history, literature, philosophy or theology, and she continued reading, learning, and sharing throughout her life. She had an enormous breadth of knowledge and if you had her on your trivia team, you were most likely to win.

Sandy was a published author of poetry, short stories and a book based on her parents’ love story which was told through the letters they wrote and the history of D-Day and Operation Market Garden.

Sandy lived her life honestly, authentically and with love. She prayed on her knees for those she loved until she couldn’t get on her knees any longer. She was a devoted mother to Dena Durham Kemp and a second mother to her son-in-law Jeff Kemp.

Sandy’s love expanded exponentially with the arrival of her grandchildren, Nicholas and Christopher Kemp, each of whom she cherished beyond measure. She loved her family including her cousins, aunts and uncles and chose to spend her 80th birthday celebrating with them in Birmingham. She spent her last year having the “the best Christmas of my life” in Denver. Sandy loved Christmas with family in Colorado and was able to go downtown to see all the Christmas lights and spend evenings with her grandsons.

Memorial services will be private and held in the spring at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Saint Simons Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia in her honor. She leaves behind a family who will miss her every day.

Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home is honored to have assisted the family.