Lorraine “Nonni”, “Mama Laura” Bonanni has gone to be with our Lord and Savior on July 28, 2020. Do not weep for a precious beautiful soul that is whole, free, and resting with Jesus, but rejoice always knowing she is reunited with so many loved ones that went before her. She passed in her home surrounded by her family.

Born in Chicago on June 29, 1920. She is the older sister to Nicolas Manfredi (deceased) and Antoinette Bascone. As Laura grew up, she lived in Chicago with her parents, Italy with her grandmother, then back to Chicago and finally made her way to California in 1945 where she has been a resident ever since. She was a devoted Catholic.

Laura with her first husband, Ross Montgomery (deceased), had sons Wally and Tony. Her second husband, Renato Bonanni (deceased), had son Carlo. Laura has 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She loved all of us dearly.

Laura was a ballroom dance instructor in her earlier days and a hairstylist for 65 years. She loved doing hair and making clients look their best. In the salons she met and mentored many wonderful friends. She adored family and friends.

Laura took care of us in many ways but the most special way was through her food. She prepared many homemade foods, passed on to her from past generations, for Sunday lunches and dinners where our multi-generational family would come together. Holidays were her favorite times as we dressed up and the menu was even bigger with special dishes like Jesus soup, or Jesus cookies, fresh seafood, Cioppino soup, or lamb for Easter. She enjoyed birthdays or any special occasion where she made pasta for family, coworkers, clients and friends. Everyone always said she made the best food. She really did. Laura’s life was filled with faith, family, friends and food.

Laura is preceded in death by her son Wallace “Wally” Montgomery, her brother and sister-in-law Nicholas “Uncle Nic” and Gioconda “Auntie Jay” Manfredi, her parents Tony and Catherine (Valerio) Manfredi.

She is survived by her sons Anthony Montgomery and Carlo Bonanni, sister Antoinette Bascone, grandchildren April Montgomery, Aleece (Trent Oberholtzer), Fields and Jacob Montgomery, Laura Red Elk, Elizabeth (Kee Blackwater), Sonia, Raymond, and Nicholas Bonanni, her great-grandchildren Alicia Bonanni, Tatanka and Petaga Red Elk, Samantha and Christopher Razo.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 6 from 7:00-9:00 pm at O’Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills. Services will be August 7 ^th at 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest.