Pauline Bonfadini Obituary

Pauline "Pasqualina" Josephine

(Riggio) Bonfadini

May 22, 1923

November 5, 2021



Mrs. Pauline Bonfadini, 98 1/2, of Trinidad, Colorado, passed away peacefully Friday morning, November 5, 2021, surrounded by her family at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born at home on May 22, 1923, in Jansen, Colorado. The first born to Joseph and Mary (Glaviano) Riggio.

Pauline grew up and attended elementary school in Jansen. The family attended services at Mount Carmel Church in Trinidad. She rode the bus to Trinidad High School graduating in 1941.

Around the age of 16, Pauline was swept off her feet by Leo Green Bonfadini. It was New Year's Eve at Kate and Joe's, her father's tavern in Jansen, where they met, and the courting began. They decided Leo would enlist in the army in 1940 for one year to serve his country. After high school, Pauline worked at J.C. Penney's as a clerk. Their wedding was delayed by WWII, they married June 2, 1946, when Leo finally returned.

Pauline worked beside Leo for 53 years in the Bonfadini Family Grocery Store manning the check out counter and candy shelves. She will especially be remembered for making each regular customer her friend, her hospitality to tourists and of course to the neighborhood children buying candy and ice cream.

Pauline was a devoted Catholic. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America, past president of the Diocese Council of Catholic Women, Trinidad Auto Club, Trinidad Italian Club, Sayre Senior Center, Columbian Federation of Italian American Societies, a life member of Beta Sigma Phi and a life member of Friends of Historical Trinidad.

She loved attending church and more recently streaming church at home, getting her hair and nails done, watching her grandkids and great grandchildren running around, reading newspapers, watching Bronco games, buying squares for Super Bowl, Sunday Jeep rides with Leo, and bringing joy to her friends and family serving traditional dinners.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Leo; her parents and sisters, Sister Rosalie Riggio and Carmela Riggio.

Pauline is survived by her daughter Bernadine; two grandsons Donald Dudley and Patrick Dudley; her special caregiving granddaughter Brenda Dudley; five great grandchildren Logan, Kelly, Ariana, Adalind and Zoey; her sister Caroline Kokjohn; her godchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her dear friend, Francis Bayes.

Visitation will be on Monday, November 29, 2021, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Rosary will begin at 12:00pm at Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 1:00pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with burial at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery. Afterwards, please join the Family for a reception at Mount Carmel Wellness Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pauline's name may be sent to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Sayre Senior Center or Mt. Rose Hospice and please continue to spread Pauline's love, giving and kindness throughout the world.