A daughter’s life’s work becomes a legacy of possibility

This is a story of courage and determination. It is a tribute to Jeannie Bionda, a member of the Class of 1994, who boldly blazed her own path in life and succeeded — but who died too young.

And it is the beginning of the story of the powerful difference she will make in the lives of future students.

 

Jeannie Bionda “ran at a different speed” than most people, remembers her mother, Donna Bionda. “It wasn’t that she lacked patience. Jeannie was just faster than others,” Donna said. “She challenged herself in order to learn confidence. She was determined that there be a point to her life. That she be seen. That she be heard.”

Perhaps one day you’ll understand Why I needed so much more.
Though you were warm and safe,
I want to make my own roar.”
– Excerpt from Jeannie Bionda’s journal

St. Bonaventure University became Jeannie’s chosen path to success. Arriving on campus in 1990 as an English major, she made many friends, especially with Jennifer Lange, ’94. Jeannie played soccer during her grade school and high school years. At St. Bonaventure she developed

a new skill, a new enjoyment —skiing. She balanced her studies with extracurricular activities like joining the Ski Club and working on the college yearbook, the Bonadieu. Arguably, her most transformative experience was the study abroad trip to Oxford during her junior year through the Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program.

“That was life-changing for her,” said Donna.

Jeannie lived and studied at Somerville College of the University of Oxford in England for six weeks. Its origins as one of the few places a female could achieve a degree no doubt intrigued Jeannie. From diving deep into all that Oxford offered, including a reading of Hamlet in a graveyard, Jeannie knew what she wanted to do in life: become an attorney. Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at St. Bonaventure, she headed to Villanova University School of Law in the fall of 1994.

“She had a dreadful first year,” Donnas aid. “Law school was coldly competitive, in stark contrast to St. Bonaventure’s friendly and encouragingly supportive academic environment.”

But Jeannie persevered. Not only did she pay her own way through law school, she received the Law Alumni Award upon graduation for having shown the greatest scholastic achievement from the end of her first year to the end of her second year.

To celebrate her graduation, Jeannie and her beloved “Bonnie BFF,” Jen, went

off to Europe to enjoy what they called their “last student backpacking trip.” She took the opportunity to explore, knowing the results of the bar exam, $80,000 in student loans, and uncertainty about a job awaited her return.

After passing the bar in New York and New Jersey, Jeannie prepared to launcher career. Lack of experience presented a challenge in securing an opportunity as a young lawyer, but Jeannie was determined.

She accepted a paralegal job in the Park Avenue New York office of Kaye Scholer, LLP,and after just three months was offered a position as an attorney in the firm’s Corporate Real Estate Department.

Eight years later, at 33 years old, Jeannie became a partner. In 2017, Kaye Scholer merged with Arnold-Porter, LLP.

Jeannie’s favorite charity was the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and she was a regular participant in its Run for the Wild event to raise awareness of the threats facing wildlife at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. From 2012 until 2019, she led a team including her mom and her niece and nephew focusing on the WCS’s Bronx Zoo’s chosen animal of the year. A loving aunt, she let her family choose their team’s name and image (carefully pre-selected by Jeannie, herself). She was devoted to her family; her niece and nephew honor their adventures with “Aunt Nini” through continued support of her treasured cause.

For a star that rose fast and shined bright, the end came far too soon. Jeannie was diagnosed with cancer — news she kept to herself. She succumbed in February 2021.

To celebrate Jeannie’s life-changing Oxford experience, Donna sponsors studentship the Oxford Annual Scholarship, hoping future Bonnies are equally inspired like her daughter.

Additionally, Donna created the JCB Endowed Scholarship at St. Bonaventure, which benefits a female majoring in English in honor of her daughter’s life.

For Donna, the preservation of Jeannie’s legacy continues by putting into action the treasure Jeannie worked so hard to establish. To help others open their own doors. To make their own roar.