Rosemary Bonner
1922-2018
Bonner, Rosemary Anne (nee
Clappen)
August 1, 1922 – January 2,
2018.
Peacefully, on Tuesday January 2, 2018 at the Hospice
Wellington, Rosemary Bonner in her 96th year
went to be with her Lord. Amongst her last words, she said,
« I know my time is now. I’ve had a really
good life. » Rosemary was the beloved wife of the late
Gordon Bonner. Dear sister of Phyllis Mary (Iain) of the UK.
Cherished and devoted mother of Anthony Bonner (Mae Kotsios)
of Toronto and the late Donald Bonner. Loving and adored
grandmother of Anna Jiroutova of Brno, Czech Republic.
Rosemary was a loving aunt to Victoria (Jason) and Charlotte (Chris)
of the UK. She is sadly missed in Guelph by cousin Elizabeth and
friend Bettina (Kevin).
A graveside service delivered by Rev Canon Ralph Blackman
(St. George’s Anglican Church) will be held on Saturday,
January 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park in the War
Veteran’s Area (Block P, Marilyn Drive entrance, turn right
and then 2nd left). Reception and prayers to follow at Guelph Lake
Commons Retirement Home, 520 Victoria Rd. N.
(2nd Floor Library). A church service
and celebration of Rosemary’s life will be planned for this
summer.
Arrangements entrusted to the
GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre
& Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street,
Guelph. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Wellington or to World
Vision (Rosemary sponsored a child there for 15 years). We
invite you to leave your memories and donations online at:
www.gilchristchapel.com
and they will be forwarded to the family.
A Little about
Rosemary
Rosemary was born on Aug 1, 1922 in Cirencester,
Gloucestershire, UK. She was the first child of Jack and Olive
(Shepherd) Clappen. Happy childhood memories included Ridgeway
Gardens, Auntie Bertha’s visits from Ashbury and Granny
Clappen’s cooking.
In 1941 she trained at Manchester Royal Infirmary (3 years)
and became a Registered Nurse.
In 1945, Rosemary joined the Queen Alexandria Royal Army
Nursing Corps. She was posted to Ghana and Nigeria in West
Africa treating polio patients. In 1947-48, she served in the Berlin
Spandau Military Hospital (a former Nazi school), 1 mile from the
Russian zone. She was in Berlin during the Soviet blockade and
subsequent allied airlift.
From 1951-54, Rosemary served on troop ships, which took her
all over the world. Here she met her future husband, Gordon Bonner (of
the Falkland Islands), the 2nd mate (navigating officer) on one of
these ships (the « Asturias »). Their first date was
in Japan.
Rosemary married Gordon in Kensington, West London, UK, on
November 24, 1956. They emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1957
with their first son Anthony (aka Tony, born in
London).
She continued her nursing career and lovingly raised her two
sons, Tony and Donald (born in Hamilton) in Ontario. She founded the
Toastmistresses club in Hamilton, and worked as a registered nurse at
Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington for 12 years. In 1978,
she and Gordon moved to Edmonton, Alberta, and then to West Vancouver,
BC, in 1986. Rosemary loved to travel and fondly remembers holidays
with Gordon. Their last trip together (1990) was to Paris,
France.
Rosemary was a deeply spiritual woman. She suffered
through a number of tragedies and said that she could not have got
through them without God. People remember her as an amazing woman who
showed much kindness, strength and generosity.
Rosemary was an avid and accomplished painter for much of her
life, painting in oils, acrylics and watercolour. She exhibited her
paintings at art shows in three provinces. Art clubs were an important
part of her life and she met many close friends there. She fondly
recalls art trips and retreats in Alberta and BC and Florence, Italy.
She loved passing on her artistic skill to her granddaughter,
Anna.
Rosemary loved Vancouver and it was difficult for her to
leave her Art Club and friends and move back to Ontario to live near
her little family (2010). This strong, independent woman
slowly adjusted to a new life in Guelph. She enjoyed having her cousin
Elizabeth close by. Rosemary loved staying with her son Tony and Mae
across from the Beach in Toronto and spending time with
Anna.
A few days before passing, she had a joyful Christmas with
family in Guelph, enjoying second helpings of her favourite salmon
dish and toasting with champagne.
We love you, Mum. Thank you for everything. You will be
remembered forever.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Rosemary Bonner 19222018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Guelph, Province: Ontario
