In Loving Memory of Bonnie Barton Summers Wolfarth
A Life of Purpose, Vision, and Heart
It is with profound sadness, but deep gratitude for a life beautifully and purposefully lived, that we share the passing of Churchill Center & School’s Co-Founder Bonnie Barton Summers Wolfarth. Bonnie died on July 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 86.
In addition to co-founding Churchill, Bonnie served as the first Board of Trustees President from 1978-1980 and was an active honorary life member of the Board until her recent passing.
“Bonnie, along with Co‑Founder Perry Streett, is the cornerstone of our mission and all we do at Churchill,” Head of School Anne Evers shared. “We will forever honor the legacy she helped build and celebrate her compassion, resilience, and fortitude that shaped Churchill’s foundation 48 years ago.”
Bonnie Barton Summers Wolfarth (right) with Perry Streett at Churchill’s 40th Anniversary.
The Need That Sparked a Movement
In the mid 1970s, Bonnie and Perry faced a heartbreaking reality shared by many parents of children with learning disabilities: the St. Louis educational system lacked a school with the resources, expertise and specialized program needed for their children to thrive. Refusing to accept that young children should have to be sent away to boarding schools to receive a proper education, these two dedicated mothers decided to change the landscape of education in St. Louis.
Founding Churchill: A Community Effort
Together, Bonnie and Perry led a passionate group of volunteers with their shared vision to launch a new kind of program. Built on individualized instruction and positive reinforcement, this school would be a place where bright, capable students with learning disabilities could flourish, build confidence, and learn the tools necessary for lifelong success. In 1978, their dream became a reality when The Churchill School opened its doors for its first summer program of 21 students led by Founding Director Sandra K. Gilligan. The success of that summer affirmed what Bonnie and Perry had always known: when children are understood and supported, they shine.
Just two years later, Churchill expanded into a full‑time day school in 1980, a transformative milestone for students who had long been overlooked by traditional systems. In 1982, Bonnie was honored as a St. Louis Woman of Achievement in recognition of her instrumental role in establishing Churchill and advancing specialized education in the region.
Sandi, Bonnie and Perry in 1978.
“Bonnie was a remarkable woman who made a profound impact on my life. I feel deeply blessed to have had the gift of knowing her, working alongside her and calling her my friend,” said Gilligan. “Together with Perry, we built a truly special place in Churchill that has changed the lives of thousands of students and their families throughout the region. She will be deeply missed.”
Churchill’s Enduring Impact
What began as a grassroots effort led by two determined mothers and a circle of volunteers grew into Churchill Center & School, an institution that transformed specialized education in the St. Louis region.
Today, Churchill Center & School stands as one of the premier educational institutions for learning disabilities in the country and a national beacon for educators, administrators and schools in the field. Churchill serves approximately 300 children with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities through day school, summer school and tutoring on a yearly basis, drawing from 50 zip codes and over 85 elementary schools throughout Missouri and Illinois. Through Bonnie and Perry’s fierce determination nearly five decades ago, Churchill’s child-centered mission has remained the same, focusing on the belief that with the right strategies, support and understanding, children with learning disabilities can excel both in traditional classrooms and in life.
Perry, Sandi and Bonnie at Founders Circle Dedication in March 2024.
Extending the Mission Beyond Churchill
Bonnie has been a Churchill Champion for more than 50 years, shaping not only the lives of our students but the reach and impact of our mission across the region.
Churchill’s Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships and Outreach Program is dedicated to fostering greater understanding and support for all people with learning disabilities by training educators, supporting families and enlightening the community. The robust Outreach Program consists of a free community speaker series, teacher professional development workshops and training, school ability awareness education, parent workshops and Terri’s Tutors. Since its inception in 1990, the program has touched more than 40,000 educators, families and community members through workshops, training, school partnerships and symposiums across the region.
Most recently, Bonnie partnered closely with Director of Outreach Rachel Wheatley to help Churchill build new collegiate partnerships with local universities.
“Bonnie knew how important connecting Churchill to colleges would be for recruiting and educating new teachers in the field. She was so passionate about these institutions knowing that Churchill was an incredible resource for their students and programs,” shared Wheatley.
Bonnie’s Legacy of Love
Bonnie’s legacy is woven into every part of Churchill. Her determination, clarity of purpose, and unwavering advocacy helped create a place that has changed thousands of lives. Her spirit lives on in every student who discovers their strengths at Churchill, every family who finds hope, and every educator who carries forward the mission she helped ignite.
“I am truly indebted to Bonnie and Perry for creating Churchill – a place where my daughter found her voice, determination and belief in herself that she could succeed in the world,” shares current Board of Trustees President and Alumni Parent Matt Courtney. “There are no words to adequately express what Churchill has meant to our family and every family who has been touched by a Churchill education.”
Churchill Founders and Past Presidents Luncheon in May 2026.
Affectionately known by current students as “Bon Bon,” Bonnie could be seen in recent years on campus enjoying our Bulldogs on Broadway shows, being a stand-in grandparent for students on Grand Day or visiting with fellow parents and students at multiple events throughout the year. Her smile brightened every classroom, every hallway, every person she encountered and her spirit will be forever cherished and missed.
Bonnie with her granddaughter, Campbell Parkins ’16 and Director of Enrollment Susan Howison
Bonnie with Alumni and Board Members at Churchill’s Sip & Savor
A Final Tribute
We extend our deepest condolences to Bonnie’s family and loved ones. Her courage, warmth, and visionary spirit will forever be felt throughout the Churchill community and in the lives of the thousands of families she transformed. Her legacy lives on in every child who walks through our doors.
Bonnie- THANK YOU for “making a difference” in all of our lives. We are forever grateful.
Service Information
Services will be held at St. Peter’s Church
110 N Warson Road | Saint Louis, MO 63124
Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 10:30 AM
A private burial will follow at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/bonnie-wolfarth-obituary?id=62150310