Bonnie Lynn Heard, 48, of Laurel, Maryland passed away Aug. 19. She was born in 1971 to Gerald Heard and Linda Svetz Heard in Bay Shore, New York.
Bonnie was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and associated municipal engineering associations, recipient of many professional awards and honors. Following her graduation from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a mechanical engineering degree, Bonnie spent her entire 26 year career at T&M Associates in Middletown, most recently supporting townships of Hazlet, Holmdel, Monmouth Beach, Rumson and West Long Branch.
Bonnie enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, highlighted by Paris (favorite meal ever), Greenland, New Zealand and especially her “happy place” with sand between her toes on Long Beach Island. Holidays were punctuated by two-day cooking fests for Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas cookies. Aunt Bonnie delighted in spoiling her nieces and nephews and loved to cheer them on throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for dance competitions, basketball, football and soccer games.
She is survived by her husband of 18 years Paul J. Hickey, son of Paul C. and Ellen Hickey; parents Gerald and Linda Svetz Heard; sister Karin Surkosky (Shawn); sister Christine Bonacci (Ronald); sister Erin Kaiser; brother-in-law William Hickey; and seven loving nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by her uncle Gary Svetz, Linda B. Heard, grandparents Emil and Sally Svetz, and Margaret and Charles Heard.
Visitation will be held Aug. 22 and 23 from 5-8 p.m. with a service Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ 07748.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bonnie Heard may be directed to support breast cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Donations may be directed to Dr. Antonio Wolff (Oncology), Dr. Kristin Redmond (Radiation Oncology) or Dr. Melissa Camp (Surgery). Make a gift online at hopkinscancer.org. Mail checks payable to Johns Hopkins University with a memo indicating the gift is in memory of Bonnie Heard and specify the research of Dr. Wolff, Dr. Redmond or Dr. Camp to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt St., Suite 1700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
Online condolences can be made at pflegerfuneralhome.com and donaldsonfuneralhomes.com (Maryland).
