Bonnie Lee Brouwer

Bonnie Lee “Opielowski” Brouwer, 77, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, passed away surrounded by family, on January 31, 2026. She was born on February 13, 1948, the daughter of the late Fred and Marion (Cole) Opielowski. She was president of her high school class of 1965, a role that reflected her leadership and dedication early on.

Bonnie was a selfless, loving, and kind mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a woman of impeccable style and grace, qualities that were evident in both her presence and the way she lived her life.

Bonnie dedicated her working life to teaching and educational leadership. She had a deep love and natural affinity for working with children with disabilities and helped countless students achieve their goals. She was a warm and nurturing presence in the classroom, remembered by many for her patience, compassion, and steady encouragement. Bonnie served as Director of Special Education in both Canterbury, Connecticut, and Killingly, Connecticut, where she was a respected advocate for students and families. She also spent many years as a drama director at both the junior high school and high school level, inspiring creativity and confidence in her students. She earned a B.S. and M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut, and later completed a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

She had a deep love for Christmas and was known for making everyone’s holiday special, creating warmth and joy for those around her. The Christmas memories she created will always be cherished by the family. Bonnie also loved animals, especially her beloved Jack Russell Terriers, who were constant companions and a source of happiness.

In her youth, Bonnie was very active in showing Jersey cows from her family’s Colesholm Farm in Belchertown, Massachusetts, reflecting her strong work ethic and lifelong connection to animals. She later introduced her children to 4-H and continued to foster a love for animals in others throughout her life.

Bonnie is survived by her sons, Sanderson Tattersall, of Lisbon, Connecticut, and Hargreaves Tattersall of Waterford, Connecticut; her sisters, Janet Officer and her husband Bruce, and Sandy Brougham and her husband Gary, all of Belchertown, Massachusetts; her six grandchildren, Ian Tattersall, Jacob Tattersall, Kirsten Tattersall, Thomas Tattersall, James Tattersall, and Isabella Tattersall, of whom she was so very proud; her nieces, Melanie Officer, Sabrina Hettrick, and Jennifer Ortman; and her nephew, Adam Brougham. She was predeceased by her nephew, Scott Brougham. She is also survived by six grand-nieces and grand-nephews, one great-grandniece and one great-grandnephew.

There will be a celebration of life for family later this year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Belchertown K-9 Program. Checks can be made payable to Town of Belchertown – K-9 Gift Department and mailed to:Belchertown Police K-9, P.O. Box 901, Belchertown, MA 01007.

Bonnie will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.