Bonita "Bonnie" S. Pilarz

Bonita "Bonnie" Sue Pilarz, 73, of Livonia and a proud Northville resident for more than 35 years, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, after a brief but courageous battle with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.

For more than 50 years, Bonnie shared a loving marriage with her devoted husband, David W. Pilarz, centered on faith and family. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of nine, faithfully cheering them on through every game, concert, recital, and milestone. For more than 20 years, she fought Parkinson's disease with grace, never letting it dim her devotion to those she loved. In her final weeks, she found comfort knowing she would continue watching over them from heaven.

Born on August 3, 1953, in Detroit, Bonnie was the first child of Charles and H. Irene (Ellsworth) Trost, who preceded her in death. She grew up in Garden City, proudly graduating from Garden City West High School with the Class of 1971 before continuing her education at Schoolcraft College. She dedicated many years to Northville Public Schools' Early Childhood program, touching countless young lives across the district.

A woman of deep faith and quiet generosity, Bonnie served others through her church, her children's schools, and community. In retirement, she continued nurturing young lives through the Walking with Moms in Need ministry at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Parish. Known for her gentle nature and her talents for sewing and baking, she had a gift for making others feel loved.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, David W.; her four beloved children, Daniel (Amy) Pilarz, Christine (Christopher) Parnin, Michael (Alejandra) Pilarz, and Sarah (Matthew) Austin; and her nine precious grandchildren, Benjamin, Maria, Danica, Genevieve, Nolan, Juliet, Brady, Leo, and Griffin. She is also survived by her cherished sister and best friend, Ann (Mark) Mills; her siblings, Timothy (Sandra) Trost, Janet Trost, Allen (Katrina) Trost, and Karen (Roberto) Teran; and treasured nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The Visitation will be held Monday, August 10, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil by the Knights of Columbus beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. The Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., in state beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville. She will be laid to rest at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to OLV Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Conference #437, for Walking with Moms in Need, 133 Orchard Drive, Northville, MI 48167 or Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, 31440 Northwestern Hwy, Ste. 185, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.