July 20, 1921 – May 27, 2014
It is with great sorrow that Bonnie's family announces her death at The Hamlets at Westsyde in Kamloops, BC. She is survived by Ed, her best friend and husband of 70 years, and their children Marilyn (Harold) Gordon of Kamloops, Donna (Derek) Cox of Black Creek, Kathy (Clayton) Martin of Cowichan Bay, Gerry (Rosa) Ellis of Kamloops and Jack (Claire) Ellis of Crofton, foster children Richard and Jeannie Hanuse and their families, along with 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Bonnie is also survived by her brothers Stan (Doreen) MacLean of Qualicum and Garth (Regina) MacLean of Kamloops, and her sisters May (Allan, deceased) Taylor of Grand Forks and Lorna (Howie) Bell of Barriere as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents John and Ellen (nee Stanyer) MacLean, her brother Gordon MacLean and sisters Olive MacLean and Ina Herd.
Bonnie was born in Francois Lake, BC; the second eldest of eight children. When she was about 10, her family moved to Mosside, Alberta. She and Ed met in 1942 while they were both in the RCAF , stationed at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School at Dafoe, SK and were married there in 1943. They were the first couple in Canada to receive permission to marry while in uniform. Ed was a motor transport driver and Bonnie was a cook in the officers' mess. They lived in Prince Rupert, Prince George, the Comox Valley and Port Alberni before moving to Campbell River in 1960 where they resided until 1985 when they moved to Kamloops. Although Mom had only a grade eight education, she possessed a wealth of knowledge and enjoyed conversing with anyone on any level. She was very down-to-earth with lots of plain old-fashioned common sense, including teaching her children the Golden Rule…"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." And she gave unconditional love to her family. Mom is now with God and she will be dearly missed by all her family and friends. At her request, there will no funeral service. The family wishes to thank Dr. Andrew Wynne and the staff at The Hamlets at Westsyde for their compassion and care, and Personal Alternative Funeral Services of Kamloops for final arrangements.