Bonnie Borsa Bench Dedication
Join us at Monocacy Village Park at 6:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 26 for the dedication of a bench in memory of Bonnie Borsa, Past-President of MOS
In Celebration of the Life of
BONNIE BORSA
Energetic Leader, Educator, Lover of Nature, Friend to All
Presented by the Maryland Ornithological Society – September 2025
Join MOS and the Borsa Family at Monocacy Village Park on Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:00 pm to dedicate a bench in memory of Bonnie Borsa, MOS Past-President. We will gather at the picnic pavilion at Monocacy Village Park, located at 409 Delaware Road, Frederick, MD 21701.
The bench dedication will be held during the Friday night social and pizza picnic during the MOS Convention in Frederick. Following the dedication, the bench will be installed permanently at the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary.
You are not required to register for the social and pizza picnic to attend the bench dedication. You are welcome to arrive at Monocacy Village Park between 5:30 – 5:50 pm for the bench dedication at 6:00 pm. We have a permit to consume beer and wine, so please bring your favorite adult beverage if you want to raise a glass in a toast to Bonnie’s memory.
Bonita (Bonnie) Borsa (Smith)
1952 – 2024
Bonnie was born in northwest Ohio and raised in the small town of Paulding, Ohio. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Miami University in zoology. She earned a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology from the Medical College of Virginia.
Bonnie worked at the National Cancer Institute at Fort Detrick from 1983 until 1987. She taught cell biology and genetics at Hood College from 1987 to 1994. She was elected to the Frederick County Board of Education in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 serving two consecutive four year terms.
She met and married her husband (Bill) in Frederick in 1986. Following the birth of their sons Andrew and Alexander she left Hood to become a full time homemaker and volunteer in the classroom.
While an undergraduate she took a class in ornithology. The class launched her interest in birds, birding and sharing knowledge with other birders. She was a member of the Frederick Bird Club serving as Vice President and President.
From September 1st, 2020 through August 31st, 2022, Bonnie was the Vice-President of MOS. She succeeded John McKitterick as MOS President on September 1st, 2022. In October of 2023 she resigned her position due to health reasons.
She became a grandmother in June 2023 with the birth of “Jack”. It was a wonderful time in her life.
This is the bench that will be installed at the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary in memory of Bonnie.
