Obituary of Bonnie Tobiassen

Barbara (Bonnie) Tobiassen, of Brick, NJ passed on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, after many years of living with Alzheimer and heart disease. She is no longer suffering, and we know that she is at eternal peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus. Bonnie was born in Atlantic City, NJ on February 27, 1938, to Jack and Iantha Sweetman, the oldest of 6 children. The family moved to Philadelphia and moved back to Lakehurst, NJ and she attended Lakewood High School. She worked at several secretary/bookkeeping jobs including Lakehurst Naval Air Station and Walt’s Trucking Company in Lakehurst. She ended her career working as a secretary for the Brick Township School system. She volunteered as a cub scout leader, as part of a group raising money to build what is now Community Hospital, St. Dominic’s CYO and offering babysitting services to whoever was in need. The Right to Life is a cause that was always close to her heart, and she volunteered for many years at the Open-Door Pregnancy Center in Toms River. Bonnie was a very active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Toms River for more than forty years. Bonnie was an amazing woman. She lived her life with a soft, quiet spirit, and a love for God, family, friends, and neighbors, sacrificing so much of her time and talents for the benefits of others. She had a huge heart, opening her home to family members when they needed help. She had a tremendous ability to forgive and was always able to offer words that provided comfort for those that were struggling. A woman of strong faith, she always looked to Jesus to find the path forward. She had a subtle, but keen sense of humor, finding and sharing joy in many of life’s moments. She was the beloved wife of the late Theodore G. Tobiassen. She was the loving mother of daughters Jean Bucci, Mary Ronan (son-in law Rich), Sonia Sikora, Barbara Freudenberg (son-in-law George) and Lara Voss (son-in-law Jay) and son Ted Tobiassen (daughter-in-law Erin). She was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Iantha Sweetman and siblings John Sweetman, and Catherine Brosen. She is survived by siblings Susan Savage, Marie Miranda Moran, and Judy Bedell. Bonnie is also survived by grandchildren, Melissa Wojnas, Jeffrey Ronan, Rebecca Bucci, Hope McNeally, Jacqueline Bucci Rummel, Jessica Sikora, Brett Sikora, Cara Gervasi, Levi Gervasi, Blake Voss and Ian Voss as well as 11 great-grandchildren. She was also grandma/nana to many of her children’s foster children. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held for Bonnie on November 18th at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 800 Bay Avenue, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Bonnie’s favorite charities; The Open-Door Pregnancy Center in Toms River, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia or Keswick in Whiting, NJ.