Obituary of Bonnie Vaughan

Bonnie Vaughan passed away peacefully,surrounded by her loving family, on March 31, 2012. Bonnie was born June 3, 1960 to Milton and Mary Bruce of Deer Ridge. Bonnie started her schooling in Wild Rose School and finished her educational years at Composite High School. In 1976 she married Lyle Vaughan of Canwood and they farmed in the community for all of their married lives. Their joy knew no bounds, with the births of their two sons, Denny and Neil. Bonnie was a dedicated housewife and mother. She was kept busy with a huge garden, decorating wedding and birthday cakes for people from miles around. She was active member of the Anglican Church. She was an enthusiastic baker and many enjoyed the fruits of her labours. She raised a brood of chickens and had many customers that she delivered eggs to each week. Despite her busy life-style, Bonnie found the time to socialize with the other young wives of the community, and her friendship was cherished by all who encountered her. He wit, charm and genuine acceptance of all she met, were her endearing qualities. At the tender age of 20 Bonnie was diagnosed with Lupus. Suddenly her world became one of fighting constant pain and taking medications. Her will to live and overcome these obstacles, inspired all who knew her. Even the medical community were in awe of her resilient nature, as she defied all the odds, and fought her way back from critical conditions many times over 30 years. What was admired most of all was her positive nature. She never complained and was always way more worried about others, than she was about her own condition. Her greatest challenge was in overcoming the grief their family experienced, with the tragic death of their son, Denny in 1994. Her deep faith, her love for Lyle and Neil, and the hope for the future gave her the strength to go on. Bonnie proved she was a survivor. Her goals were to live long enough to see her boys graduate, (she did), to celebrate her 40th birthday (she did),and her greatest wish of all, to see grandchildren be born (she did, as Tye and Ryders' births gave her the greatest joys she'd ever experienced.) Two years ago, Bonnie celebrated her 50th birthday. She spread love and joy everywhere she went, and the people in her world were grateful to have been blessed with her presence in their lives. Bonnie left to cherish her memory, her husband, Lyle, her son, Neil (Kirsten), and her grandsons, Tye and Ryder; her mother, Mary Bruce, her siblings, Rick (Elaine), Dale (Eileen), Jim (Edna), Don (Charlotte), Leroy, Wanda (Vince), Candace (Calvin), her brother-in-law, Gerald Vaughan, her sisters-in-law, Loretta (Gordon) Person, Linda (Gerry) Straf and numerous other relatives. She was predeceased by, her son, Denny, Her father, Milton Bruce and her in-laws, Jim and Anna Vaughan. The Celebration of Life Service was held on April 5th , 2012 at 3 p.m. in the Canwood Elk's Community Center with Pastor Dennis Serfas and Father Stephen Harnish as officiants. Sandra Benson and Susan Hansen shared memories of Bonnie. The organist was Grace Buhler. The Honor Guard were "All of the Renal Unit ANGELS who loved and cared for Bonnie over the years." The Active Pallbearers were Darryl Willoughby, Bob Francoeur, Ryan Bruce, Chace Johnson, Kelly Straf and Brian Person. In lieu of other tributes memorial donations may be made to the choice of the donor. Bonnie was laid to eternal rest beside her son, Denny in the Canwood North Cemetery.