Bonnie Gail Carmichael (Stickwood)
May 18th, 1949 – Dec 30th, 2020
To know Bonnie, is to know a kind-hearted woman, who loved her family and friends unconditionally. She was born on May 18th, 1949 in the Town of Newmarket, where she resided for her entire life. In the early years, Bonnie was a happy child who loved to sing, play dress up, and help her mother and sister prepare food for the family.
Once a teenager, growing up in the late 60’s early 70’s brought out Bonnie’s independence or a mischievous side. Her late brother in law Harry, had many stories while working as a Newmarket police officer assisting her home. She loved music and in her day records, 45’s and LP’s filled the house with the Beatles, The Stones, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, and her favorite “Janis Joplin” hence the birth of “Pearly” with a token tattoo etched on her shoulder demonstrating her admiration and mischievous side.
The younger sister to Harley and Donna and the older sister to Paul and John, smack in the middle of her siblings she was taught how to care for her younger siblings and even aspired to become a nurse. Bonnie was the best sister to her siblings always helping, babysitting her nieces and nephews, and all the fur babies. She never missed a birthday, holiday, wedding, or family celebration she was always there filling the room full of love and happiness.
On May 18th, 1959 on her 10th Birthday, she welcomed a gift from her sister Donna a blonde-haired blue-eyed baby girl “Debbie” her niece, and fellow Birthday Gal every May 24 weekend hereafter. Donna and Harry, Bonnie and Charlie shared many weekends together at Centennial Park in Kirkfield, along with Debbie (Frank) and Lori (Laurie), and along came the 2nd generation of campers, Tj, Britney, Kim, Kelly, Lee, Garrett, and then a 3rd generation Aliyah and Ethan and many fur babies. Over the years, many weekends were shared with her brothers the late Paul, John, and Gail, guitar in hand ready to join in the sing-a-long with his sister, her happy place. Lot 10 was the go-to for family, extended family, fellow campers to join in the shenanigans, campfires, music, dancing of course those Birthday celebrations.
Friendships shaped with Bonnie and Charlie at Centennial Park with the Aplin’s, Deschamp’s, Gibson’s Pizzolatto’s, Roberson’s, and family have lasted for 40 years. These memories can never be forgotten or replaced she loved every minute. It was Bonnie’s parents, Walter and Laura who first set up weekend tents, then tent trailers, and ultimately a full-sized mobile home with add-a-rooms to accommodate the weather, family, and extra guest.
For those in attendance, you were guaranteed a weekend of good food, boat rides, campfires, and a singalong from her very own version of “There Stands the Glass” Me and Bobby McGee” and the odd dirty limerick that well be edited out for only those in attendance to remember.
Included in her heart of gold, Bonnie was very generous with her time, love, and if it was her last dollar, if you needed it more she would give it to you and go without.
Bonnie did not have an easy time finding true love until she met her Husband Charlie Carmichael. Charlie walked up to the family home to meet Bonnie for a date, Walter looked him in the eye and said you better not hurt her. Off they went to the Caribbean for 2 weeks upon their return Charlie was now part of the family, her ginger Knight in Shining Armor and the love of her life, her “Honey-pie” Charlie Boy. They have been inseparable for so many years it is inconceivable not to speak their name together in any sentence when speaking about them Bonnie & Charlie. Watching them dancing together with a rhythm all of their own truly depicted the love that they shared.
Bonnie did not have children of her own, so when she married Charlie she become a stepmother to Karen and finally had a daughter to call her own. Karen also enjoyed weekends at the park with her Husband Majid and their fur baby. They traveled together and shared delicious meals at Karen and Majid’s with an international flavor, welcoming new friends, and sharing with family.
Bonnie, was a favorite Auntie to all her nieces and nephews, she was always there, supporting, listening, and loving, like a mother she would give those hugs, kisses, and unconditionally love. She adored them and spent hours singing songs, playing dress-up, tea parties, cars, and listing to music. She told stories, bounced them on her knee, and loved them up like they were her children.
Bonnie had a larger-than-life personality and a laugh that started slowly and erupted into a full cackle and a smile from ear to ear. She was funny when she told a story it made you laugh until you wanted to pee your pants. She and Charlie entertained the best over the years.
She enjoined traveling, from Scotland, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Punta Cana, Mexico, Cuba, and Florida, cruising with Donna, Debbie, and Lori and several states throughout the USA. Bonnie left a little part of herself wherever she went, in return, you left with a smile, a full heart, and maybe a new friend or at least one you always wanted.
When Bonnie became your friend it was loyal, non-judgemental, and loving, just ask Annie? A simple cup of tea, a little chat, and a welcome ear too many. She knew how to listen and to give a little kick when you needed one. Friends became instant family to Bonnie and would be welcomed where ever she went.
One recurring commendable trait in Bonnie’s life is the true meaning and understanding of blended and loving unconditionally. The outreach of love and support to Charlie, Donna, John and Gail, Karen and Majid, Irene and Winkie, Barry and Stephen in Scotland, Debbie and Frank, Lori and Laurie, Kim and Allan, all her nieces and nephews, all her cousins, and family, is the patronage of how much she was loved by family and friends and will be sadly missed.
Losing our beloved Bonnie is indeed devastating. To never hear her laugh again, see her smiling face, embrace those big hugs full of love, share a story, a meal, travel, and most importantly to tell her how much you love her.
Know that she is pain-free, at rest, and watching over us. Her love will continue to grow and that one day, the pain of the loss will be replaced with happy memories of life shared with our Bonnie. A wife, sister, stepmom, aunt, and friend to so many, who loved each of us just the way we are, no judgment, no agenda, just a big old heart full of love.
May she Rest in Peace, gone too soon, but never forgotten.
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand
The angel said my place was ready in heaven far above. And that I’d have to
Leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt
So much at home, for god looked down, smiled at me., And told me “Welcome Home”.
So when tomorrow starts without me, Don’t think that we’re far apart, for every time you think of me.
I’m right there in your heart.
Bonnie’s last wish was a “Celebration of Life” be held in her honor when family and friends can gather to reminisce and raise a glass to our Golden Girl. Until such time, wear your masks, stay safe, be kind to each other, and love unconditionally.
Her Loving Family
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Wednesday December 30th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bonnie Gail Carmichael Stickwood Wednesday December 30th 2020..
roadhouse and rose funeral home
Décès pour la Ville:Newmarket, Province: Ontario