10/01/2026
In Loving Memory of Annie “Nana” Bonacci
Annie, a cherished member of Molly and Joe Bonacci’s family, passed away peacefully in the warm autumn sun on Sunday, September 27, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.
Annie came to them just 12 days after they said goodbye to their beloved Ava. She had been surrendered to a shelter in Kentucky and found her way to a rescue in Indiana, where they called her “Angel.” The name fit a girl whose fur spread across her back like a pair of wings. It’s one reason Molly and Joe have always believed Ava sent Annie to them when they needed her most.
From her first day home, Annie was gentle, bright, and remarkably well-mannered, and she was happiest anywhere her family was. And she had a special hobby. While Molly and Joe were at work, Annie made her rounds of the house and dragged her finds into the living room. She sourced everything from Tide detergent to cleaning supplies, and once she even hauled in an entire chest of plastic drawers. Security camera recordings of Annie mid-haul, completely absorbed in the job, live on.
Annie became Joe’s shadow immediately. Weekend errands were one of her favorite outings. She’d settle into the passenger seat, perfectly content, because wherever they were headed, she was going with Dad. She loved weekends at their camp in the Keweenaw, boat rides on Lake Superior, camping trips, long rides in the side-by-side, and her daily walks.
In March 2026, Annie had emergency surgery to remove her spleen, and her sister Nora donated blood to help her pull through. The biopsy brought the news every family dreads: hemangiosarcoma. But Annie wasn’t ready to give up, and neither were they. She was accepted into a cancer trial at UW-Madison in Wisconsin. Every two weeks, Molly made the 14-hour round trip for Annie’s chemotherapy. She also made monthly trips for Annie’s screenings and cancer vaccine.
Annie met the challenge with grit and grace. She even came to love her stays at the Hilton in Madison—she had expensive taste, just like her dad. And she never once turned down a snack, even during her cancer battle. Every drive home from chemo, she wolfed down a McDonald’s hamburger.
Despite many hard and frightening days, Annie defied the odds of her diagnosis for seven months. She enjoyed those seven months in beautiful spring and summer weather, taking walks, riding sh***un with Dad, eating her favorite foods, crashing a wedding, tagging along with Molly at work, and most of all, being loved by her family.
Eventually, the cancer found its way to her liver. Molly and Joe fought it with everything they had and tried everything they could. They never stopped fighting for her, because she never stopped fighting for them.
Annie was never “just a dog.” She was family. She was Joe’s shadow and his soulmate, and the happiest girl anyone knew. She filled their home with comfort and unconditional love, and she leaves behind more memories than they could ever count.
Even though their hearts are completely broken, Molly and Joe are grateful.
Grateful they found her.
Grateful she found them.
Grateful Ava somehow sent her to them when they needed her most.
Grateful for every single day.
Annie taught them that loving again never meant loving Ava any less. She simply made their hearts bigger.
She will be missed beyond words and loved forever.
