Mrs. Elaine Bonin

Predeceased by her parents Nick and Pearl (nee Dergousoff) Kalmakoff she is survived by her husband of 47 years Hubert (Bert) Bonin; brothers James (Sarah) of New Zealand and Lawrence (Elaine) of Ottawa, ON; niece Stefanie Kalmakoff of New Zealand; nephew Ian Kalmakoff of New Zealand; niece Sheena Bond of Ottawa, ON and their families; step-children Keith (Kathy) Bonin of Winnipeg, MB, David Bonin of Burnaby, BC, Denise (Phil) Bonin-Mount of Ottawa, ON; step grand-daughters Meghen and Chantelle Bonin of Winnipeg, MB.

Elaine was born on October13, 1944 in Canora, Saskatchewan. She graduated from Canora Composite High School in 1964 and subsequently attended a business college in Winnipeg. After completing her formal education, she worked in the mining industry in Northern BC and Vancouver as an administrator and project manager. Later in her career she worked in human resources management with the RCMP.

She married Bert Bonin on April 13, 1973 in Richmond BC and Bert's various work transfers sent them to Winnipeg, Edmonton and back to Richmond, where they spent their retirement years.

Elaine loved to travel and did so extensively throughout her life. In her early days she spent a year in Australia, working and touring the country, travelling to other destinations. Over the years she and Bert took many trips and cruises to various parts of the world and loved spending winters in Arizona and part of the summer in their trailer at Black Mountain in Washington state.

Elaine had a large circle of friends whom she met through her travels, work and through her involvement in social organizations such as the Red Hat Society and community hobby and crafting groups. Among her dear, long time friends, Diane of Washington, Annalea of England and Veronica, Langley, BC.

She had an entrepreneurial spirit and was successful in several home sales businesses i.e. Weekender clothing, Enrich/Unicity health products and various cosmetic and jewellery companies.

Elaine was very skilled and prolific in knitting, crocheting and in intricate card making, often teaching others. We all looked forward to receiving her beautiful and thoughtful cards and exquisitely crafted sweaters and throws.

She was caring, generous and compassionate and loved to keep in touch and visit with family and friends. She was always there to lend an ear, hand or smile and to offer some encouraging words. She took great interest in the lives of her immediate and extended family. Elaine had a close relationship with her parents and was there for them in their senior years to ensure they received companionship and any help and assistance they needed in their daily lives.

Elaine will be remembered for her fun-loving nature, her love of life and ever-present optimism and determination to live life as well as possible for as long as possible. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends and by all of those whose lives she touched. May she rest in peace after a life well lived.

Thank you to a great team of Doctors and nurses at Richmond General Hospital who cared for Elaine.

Cremation arrangements taken care of by Forest Lawn Funeral Home. A private inurnment in Legacy Gardens will take place on August 13, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In memoriam donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Elaine.