Bonnie Marie (Sutherland) McGhie, born on May 14, 1927 in Chatham, Ontario passed away on March 23, 2022 at the Chatham-Kent Hospice at the age of 94. Cause of death was congestive heart failure.
Bonnie was predeceased by her husband Adelbert George Singleton (Kit) McGhie (Sept 4, 1992), her parents Edith (Robinson) and Ernest Sutherland, and all of her siblings Marion (Eddie), Grace (Jack), Don (Mildred), Ruth (Bill), Barb (Jim), and Jack (Donna).
Bonnie is lovingly remembered by her family who all reside in Winnipeg: children Denise (Noulan-2013), Scott, Rob (Barb), grandchildren Megan and Tyler (Kate) and great grandson Mason.
Bonnie and Kit met at Mirwin’s Department Store where they both worked. They married on April 23, 1949 in Chatham and raised their children in Stacey Subdivision. Dad build a cottage at Rondeau Park, which they enjoyed for 10 years. They developed many friendships with the Kinsmen and Kinettes and during their boating years at the Chatham Yacht Club. Playing cards was a favourite activity with friends, and whatever cash pot Dad lost Mom usually won!
They had many boating excursions in the “Little White Boat” up the Thames to the Lighthouse, into Lake St, Clair, to Tobermory in Lake Huron, and a family houseboating trip in the Thousand Islands in the St Lawrence River to name a few.
Although Mom didn’t like flying she had many trips to Winnipeg, and other vacations in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in California, and to see Denise in Vancouver, Victoria, and in Deep Cove, North Vancouver and stayed in Denise and Noulan’s B & B. She also enjoyed a road trip to Florida.
In 1980 Bonnie kept the home fires burning while Kit, Scott and Rob headed to Winnipeg to open our family chain of 30 hair salons in the early 80’s. All of our family members have worked in the company (Kittson Investments/Singleton’s Hair Care) over it’s 40+ years of operation in Winnipeg and Edmonton.
After Dad passed on, Mom maintained our family home until she moved into St. Andrews Residence in 2013. Mom enjoyed the supportive, friendly and caring environment at St. Andrews over these past 8+ years. Every day she chose a lovely outfit, made sure her hair looked good (even in the back) and put on her lipstick before she left her room. To express her appreciation of the staff, she delighted in packaging and handing out small chocolate bar treats. She was very particular and ensured four different bars were neatly organized in each package!
Friends were always welcome at the McGhie’s, where you would often find 4 to 12 cars tightly parked in the driveway and on the boulevard. As kids we had pyjama, dance and teen parties, and the parents had cocktail and card parties. Imagine only one bathroom too! Mom’s favourite past time became TV shows like Murder She Wrote and Wheel of Fortune. We remember her often saying, “Think Good Thoughts”.
In appreciation we would like to acknowledge the ongoing care and support Mom received from all the staff at St. Andrews, and at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (especially Alli and Mary).
We especially thank and greatly appreciate Faye Geddes for her friendship, love, caring, support, dedication and liaison with all Mom’s medical and health care professionals for over 30 years, and to our family.
We also thank Brent Moor, Bernadette Couture, and Mom’s hairdresser a la chauffeur Susan Riddel for their supportive and caring friendships.
And lastly, we want to thank and acknowledge Dr. Kate Bailey for her continued care and guidance in arranging many surgeries, moving Mom into St. Andrews initially for rehab and the rest of her life, and smoothing the way into the hospice for her last day.
At Bonnie’s request their will be no service.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrews Residence, 99 Park St., Chatham, ON Condolences for the family may be offered online or emailed to Denise – denise@VibrantHealthStrategies.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bonnie McGhie – Chatham Celebration Centre March 23 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Chatham, Province: Ontario