Readington Township, NJ –Salaine Claire Bonanne passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009 with her loving family at her side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Salaine Claire was born March 5, 1949. She graduated from Trenton State College, summa cum laude, in 1971 and started teaching at Pine Grove Manor School in Somerset, NJ. Salaine Claire then received her Master Degree with Honors in Special Education and taught Perceptually Impaired children in Edison, NJ.

She married Thomas A. Bonanne in 1972. In 1980 she gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Dana Claire. She returned to teaching in 1986 at Barley Sheaf Elementary School. She also taught at Robert Hunter Elementary during her 30 year tenure with the Flemington-Raritan School District. She also received a second Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, graduating first in her class, from Rider College in 2005 and received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership and Service.

She was a member of the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The National Association for the Education of Young Children, NJ and Mid-Atlantic Associations for the Education of Young Children, FREA, HCEA, NJEA, NEA, Council for Exceptional Children, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Salaine Claire was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the Education Honor Society at Trenton State College and Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society for Educators at Rider College.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 37 years, Thomas A. Bonanne and her daughter, Dana Claire, of Long Beach, NY; her parents, Dr. Salvatore and Elaine DeSalva of Somerset; her brothers, Chris, Steven, Gregory, Philip and Peter; her sisters, Stephanie and Dierdre; and a large extended family. Some of her happiest times were spent gardening in the Spring and hosting friends and family at gatherings in her home.



Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 beginning 9:15 am at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 followed by a 10:30 am funeral liturgy celebrating her life at The Catholic Community of Saint Matthias, 168 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Somerset, NJ 08873. Salaine Claire will be entombed at Holy Cross Cemetery in East Brunswick. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at the funeral home on Friday, April 24, 2009 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm and on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 8:30 am until service time. Memorial Donations can be made to "Salaine Cares Memorial Fund", c/o 18 Chamberlain Road, Flemington, NJ 08822. This fund will be dispersed to the Hunterdon Cancer Center and special programs for the Flemington-Raritan School District.