It is with great sadness that on April 27th, 2024 we lost our dear mother Bonita Joan Carmichael, or as she preferred, Bonnie. When this happened, she was with family and under the care of staff at the St. Boniface Hospital. She is now reunited with husband Blenis; her parents, Stella and Iggie Garlinski, sister in law Sadie MacCormack, and other passed relatives, friends,and beloved pets.
Bonnie will be deeply missed by her three daughters, Shauna (Ken), Jennifer (Glenn), and Sara; her grandchildren, Savvy, Inge, Nicholas, William,Simy and Kaleo; sister Loraine; brothers Gary and Donald; sister-in-law, Colette, her Boston Terrier, Alfie and other dear family and friends.
Mom was grateful that she was able to celebrate her 76th birthday on April 17th with loved ones. And to those of you who sat at her bedside day and night for her last weeks (you know who you are), thank you for fulfilling her wish of not letting her leave this world alone. Your love and support carried her.
She grew up as Bonita Joan Garlinski (Bonnie) in Dauphin, Manitoba. She spent her school years in Dauphin and then moved to Winnipeg to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse. In training Mom met a wonderful group of friends who were still friends to this day including Joan, Josette, Donna, and Barb. She fell in love and married her sweetheart Blenis in 1972, and had three wonderful daughters. Blenis and Bonnie created a wonderful marriage and family until he passed in September of 1990.
Life as a single mother raising three active daughters kept her busy. She loved spending summers at the family cabin at Ochre Beach where she could work on her tan and enjoy the girls playing in the water and sand. Bonnie also enjoyed baking, especially for her grandchildren, going out to dinner with friends, and was an avid theatre fan. Later in life, her biggest joy was rescuing Boston Terrier dogs and providing them with a wonderful home.
This wonderful home was in Norwood where she was blessed with amazing close neighbours The Voyers, and Tim and Debbie Frymire, who she considered like family.
Bonnie enjoyed a long career as a Registered Nurse (R.N.). She worked at the St. Boniface Hospital for 50 years in Labour and Delivery. She never tired being a part of team that welcomed the birth of new babies. She was privileged to have worked side by side with so many talented, hardworking and conscientious people, many of whom became friends. How appropriate that her last days were spent at the place where she committed so much of her life to.
Although she can’t have hour long conversations (or more) on the phone anymore, we hope that Bonnie can remain in your hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boston Terrier and Pug Rescue of Southern Manitoba.
