VASSALBORO – Elizabeth Bonola Reuthe walked into the light on April 22, 2024, at her cherished home on Cross Hill Road while surrounded in loving spirit by several close family members and friends. Throughout her cancer diagnosis and treatment Elizabeth showed dignity and courage, an inspiration to all who knew her. She planned her own conscious death enlightening others to the concept and ensuring she would pass the way she lived, on her own terms.

Elizabeth was born in New Britain, Conn. in August 1946, the eldest child of Walter and Elizabeth (Baranowski) Bonola. She married the love of her life, John Reuthe of South Bend, Ind. in August 1982 and helped raise John’s young children Petra and Eric, first in Rhode Island, then Vermont and after 1986 on their farm in Vassalboro.

Elizabeth earned her college education at the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University in South Bend, where she completed her MBA in 1977. Soon after, in her early 30s, Elizabeth broke the glass ceiling when she began working as Plant Manager for Bendix Brake and Steering Division. For nearly 20 years she was in senior leadership roles at Bendix Corporation including Fram Filters and Autolight Sparkplugs; the Digital Equipment Corp. in Augusta; and IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook. Her journey was propelled beyond the corporate horizon after she studied at the Gestalt Institute and Process Work Institute and received a MA in Conflict Facilitation and Organizational Change. She then established her consulting firm, Elizabeth Reuthe Associates and worked with clients from all over the world. Among her noteworthy work was facilitating groups in New York City after 911, and for those seeking peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and India. Elizabeth never stopped her quest for knowledge, learning and human connection – she was always seeking new opportunities and relationships.

In 2001, following her younger sister Elaine’s death at the age of 52, Elizabeth wisely took time off to take care of herself and to examine what she hoped for in her own future, but even then she was not idle. She prepared gourmet foods, raised chickens, made maple syrup, took a Master Gardener’s course and became a Reiki Master. To this day the Reuthe’s farm is lavishly adorned with flower gardens designed by Elizabeth while taking some “time off.” During that transition Elizabeth and John joined the Quaker community in Vassalboro which blessed them with spiritual grounding and new “Friends” who have been a great source of comfort and strength.

Elizabeth spent a lifetime of learning, personal growth and mentoring others including family, friends, neighbors and strangers that quickly became friends. She was energized by other’s successes and growth. Her ability to work with diverse groups from throughout the world was exemplary – sometimes in situations that were dangerous and inflammatory. She also mentored women from all walks of life, including some of the “untouchables” in India. Seeing women whom she had supported reach their own levels of success gave Elizabeth great joy and a sense of fulfillment.

The many strangers that became friends found themselves among neighbors and family who were welcomed into the Reuthe’s beloved Thanksgiving Farm on Cross Hill Road aptly named for the thanks that the Reuthe clan always strives to give. There was comfort, beauty and kinship found at the Thanksgiving Farm table which was plentifully laden with food and drink and a house filled with lively conversation and laughter. In between hosting, John and Elizabeth enjoyed traveling all over the world to places such as Australia, India, New Zealand, Russia, the Middle East and Europe. Cruises on the Mary Day off the coast of Maine or voyages across the Atlantic with a group of fellow voyagers turned friends are among the adventures they have enjoyed over the last several years – the final one a few short months ago when Elizabeth’s health was failing but her zest for life was still soaring.

Elizabeth’s final days were spent immersed in the love, friendship and spirituality in which she found great strength, comfort and happiness. With ABBA playing to remind her of all of the memorable times and deep love she and John found with one another, friends and family shared the impacts Elizabeth made on their own lives. As part of her wish for a conscious death, meditations were read by family and friends to give her solace as she focused on her journey into the light.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Elaine and nephew, Michael Bonola.

She is survived by her husband, John; daughter, Petra, husband Jim Kennedy and their children Parker, Liam and Spencer of Connecticut; son, Eric and his children Camden, Willow and Griffin of Tennessee; brother, Walter Bonola of Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved pets Zoe, Trevor, and her prized Morgan horse Sojourner with whom she learned dressage.

Condolences can be sent to John Reuthe c/o Friends Meeting House, 48 South Stanley Hill Rd., Vassalboro, ME 04989. A memorial service will be held July 6 at the Vassalboro Friends Meeting House, time to be announced.

The family would appreciate donations made in Elizabeth’s memory to either of these organizations:

The Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care expansion campaign with “HACCC Capital Expansion” noted in the check memo line, mail to

MaineGeneral Health

P.O. Box 828

Waterville, ME 04903;

or to Right Sharing for World Resources, which partners with women in Kenya, India, and Sierra Leone in support of their families and to transform their communities.

Donations to Right Sharing should be mailed to

101 Quaker Hill Dr.,

Richmond, IN 47374

or online via

rswr.org/share-your-abundance.

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