Muriel Lewis Bono

Muriel Lewis Bono of Savannah, Georgia, widow of Murray Schine Bono, died Sunday morning, January 23, 2022, at Candler Hospital.?? She was 90 years old.



Muriel was born on July 25, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Meyer Lewis and Rose Aronchick Lewis.?? She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and, in 1952, earned a BA from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.?? While in Atlanta Muriel met Murray Bono, a native Savannahian.?? She and Murray married in 1957, which is when Muriel moved to Savannah where she lived for 65 years.



Muriel had an early career in selling residential real estate. But she left real estate sales to raise a family and support Murray when he and his partner, Albert Yellin, started Savannah Wholesale Company and Allied Department Stores.?? That business grew to employ several hundreds of people at a wholesale operation in Savannah and 72 department stores across Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.



Muriel was very active in the Savannah Jewish community. ??She was a member of Congregation Mickve Israel, Congregation B'nai B'rith Jacob, and the Jewish Educational Alliance. ??In 1977, Muriel led the fundraising campaign for the Women's Division of the Savannah Jewish Federation. ??In 1993, she and Murray co-chaired the Savannah Jewish Federation's 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.



Muriel was also deeply involved in a variety of other philanthropic institutions.?? For example, Muriel transcribed into braille more than one hundred books as a volunteer for the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. ??She was also an active member of the Chatham Club and the Savannah Golf Club.



Muriel was an accomplished artist, with a passion for art that began early in life.?? As a child, she took art classes at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and she continued her arts education at Armstrong University and beyond.?? Muriel studied under the Armstrong art department chair Kenneth P. McKinnell, graduated with a degree in Art, and continued to study under other accomplished master artists throughout her life.?? The works she produced were mainly oils and watercolors depicting scenes in and around Savannah and the Low Country.?? Private collectors acquired Muriel\'s works for display in the United States from coast to coast, as well as abroad in countries including Israel and the Philippines.



Muriel leaves behind several generations of survivors.?? They include three sons: Michael Lewis Bono, who lives with his wife Susan Ash Bono in Houston, Texas: David Aaron Bono, who lives with his wife Dr. Holly Elizabeth Happe in Boston, Massachusetts; and Mark Jeffrey Harris, who lives with his wife Brenda in Houston, Texas.?? Muriel is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson:?? Mitchell Bono (along with his wife, Caroline), Allison Bono, Gayle Bono, Abby Lou Bono, and great-grandson Mason Bono.



Muriel is also survived by many other relatives with whom she was close, as well as scores of life-long friends and community members. She was a warm and loving lady.



A private funeral service will be held at 9:30 Thursday morning, January 27, 2022, in Bonaventure Cemetery conducted by Rabbi Robert W. Haas.



You are invited to virtually attend via Zoom by clicking here.??



Meeting ID: 867 2644 6264

Passcode: 998638



Remembrances: ??The family would be honored by donations made in the memory of Muriel Bono to the Savannah Jewish Federation, Temple Mickve Israel, or another charity of the donor's choice.



For the personal and caring attention they gave to Muriel, her family would like to thank Dr. Joe DeHaven, Dr. George Negrea, Lucy Cromwell, and her other caregivers.