Bonnie Rae Kunzel's Obituary
Bonnie Rae (Lendermon) Kunzel, 82, passed away peacefully in her home on June 1, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 6, in Germantown, Tennessee. Please contact the family for additional details.
Born on March 25, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Raymond and Betty Lendermon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Memphis State University in 1966, and was married to George Kunzel later that year, on September 14. They moved to Somerset, N.J., in 1977, and retirement brought them back to Memphis in 2006.
Bonnie’s impressive career was a testament to her love of books. She became a young adult reference librarian at the Franklin Township Public Library and a youth services consultant for the New Jersey State Library. She served on the Best Books for Young Adults Committee, among others, and later became president of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). She was also a longtime reviewer for VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) and was named Librarian of the Year by the state of New Jersey.
Bonnie co-authored several books, including The Teen-Centered Book Club: Readers into Leaders (with Constance Hardesty), and Fluent in Fantasy (with Diana Tixier Herald). A nationally recognized speaker and author, Bonnie became a familiar and admired presence at conferences, book festivals, and professional forums across the country. Her enthusiasm for reading and her dedication to connecting young readers with literature made a lasting impact on countless librarians, educators, and families.
Bonnie spent hours solving crossword puzzles with her husband. She enjoyed weekly trips to the movies with her brother. She gifted hundreds of books to friends and family, generously sharing her passion for reading. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose love and encouragement were deeply felt by her family.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, George; her children, Erin and Derek; her grandchildren, Alexander, Xavier, and Zachary; and her brother, Victor Lendermon. Bonnie was preceded in death by her sister, Karen.
Bonnie will be remembered for her remarkable intellect, her profound love of books, and the lasting difference she made in the lives of young readers everywhere. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.
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