Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Bonnie Jean Walraven-Rinehart
1946 - 2017
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Andrea Hannen posted a condolence
Monday, July 2, 2018
Bud, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Bonnie was an incredible human being and taught me so much. Dan and I hope you and your family have been able to find peace and comfort in the many happy memories you must have.
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Jodi Brainard posted a condolence
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Missing you so much momma bonnie.
Im not sure why god took you so soon before you could enjoy your retirement he must have needed a special angel for a very special mission cause lord know your an amazing angel.!! May everyone who knew and loved you find comfort in all the memories you gave them cause you would tell them not to cry for you but to remember all the memories you left them.. You were my rock and my hero and i love you so much. May you fly with the angels now. Love you so much. Xoxoxo always and forever. Ill make you proud like you wanted me to do and go do the things you had faith in me to do when i lack the faith in myself. Ill make sure this world still feels your love and your kindness ill make your memory live on.. i promise.
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Jodi Brainard lit a candle
Saturday, September 9, 2017
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I miss you so much momma bonnie. I wish god didnt take you so soon you had so much life to live.. I love you very much. Xoxoxo
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Jodi Brainard posted a condolence
Friday, September 8, 2017
You have my deepest sympathy.
Bonnie was a very important person in my life i loved her so very much. She was an incredible god sent angel and my hero. May she rest in paradise. Hugs to all. from Jodi
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Bud William Rinehart posted a condolence
Friday, September 1, 2017
I wish to thank all for their kind words about Bonnie.I know Bon's and my extended family will miss her dearly. Again thank you for your kind words...............Bud
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George D. Harpur posted a condolence
Sunday, August 27, 2017
It has taken me a very long time to get around to writing this not not because of the disabling sense of loss that I have felt but simply out of a sense of inadequacy when it comes to trying to describe what we all have lost with Bonnie's death. I've often use the illustration of withdrawing the finger from a glass of water to illustrate to myself and others how little we may all be missed but Bonnie's passing has made me acutely aware of the subtleties of this illustration. Bonnie like so many others who are committed to trying to help others never had just a finger in things, if she was interested she was always in over her head. And she was never an inert immobile presence in anyone's life she was always creating a stir and vigourously fighting for respect for the most vulnerable in our midst, ready anytime to do battle with those who seem to take pleasure in making life more difficult for them.
She radiated warmth to everyone around her and when Bonnie was withdrawn from the pool of life, just as in the finger illustration, the level of warmth, and compassion in the world around here went down. She was a champion of the underdog willing always to meet them where they were in order to help them understand and become what they could be. She understood their suspicions and fears so would take them out for coffee or a meal or sit in the car while they smoked and unfortunately probably join them. In short she was prepared to do what was necessary to create the opportunity to demonstrate what relationship could be like. On occasion she even had individuals she dragged home and she was prepared to stand with them in hearings, appeals and in court if she felt there was an injustice that needed correction or if they just needed someone to stand with them while they faced unpleasant consequences.
Bonnie had an encyclopedic memory for people, an understanding of how problems in the social systems arose and what if anything could be done to address the multitude of shortcomings that exist. She had no patience for those individuals within the social support systems, the schools and the judiciary who used their authority to put obstacles in the path of vulnerable people instead of doing their utmost to treat them with respect and help them cope. I could go on about Bonney for pages and still come nowhere near cataloguing the extent of her efforts on behalf of the unfortunate, the loss is huge and we are all going to have to work a lot harder to try and compensate for the loss of her incredible energy. She was looking forward eagerly to spending time with Bud in the new home in Coldwater and I deeply regret that they now will not have that opportunity. It has been an incredible privilege and an adventure to have worked and learned with Bonnie for these past 26 years.
George Harpur
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Clark Schneider posted a condolence
Friday, August 18, 2017
I worked with Bonnie for 16 years through the Men's Program and My Dad's Group and am so sad to hear of her death. Bonnie and I ran groups together for many of those years and it was a privelege to be her co leader. Bonnie always presented with the strength of a lion and the heart of a lamb. Although no man could ever intimidate her, many would discover her kindness and her warmth and her compassion as she looked on all of them for who they were and not for what they might have done. She believed all deserved to be treated with respect and that all had the capacity to be different.
The above qualities were especially valuable when she co lead My Dad's Group and would tap into the men's desire to be different for their children but were unable to understand how to do that. She would care for the men but would not take care of the men, but be there with her compassion to show them the way and give them the support until they could find their feet to move forward.
Bonnie always seemed to be on the go and many an evening we would meet before group and she had not had the time during the day to either eat or pee. But she was ready for the next challenge and gave of herself fully to the needs of the men.
Although most of my contact with Bonnie was through work I would occasionally join her to be the fourth as we squared off against her mother and a friend to play bridge. Bonnie played much as she worked--off the cuff and daring, losing with grace and ready to meet the next challenge again. She was never a quitter!
There are so many memories which give me much joy and now sorrow to know that others cannot continue to benefit from the kindness of this woman.
I wish to express my sadness to her family and her close friends and to all that have had the luck and the pleasure of knowing Bonnie.
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Bonnie Caudle posted a condolence
Friday, August 18, 2017
I am so saddened by the lost of my dear friend of many years. She inspired my life in many ways as she did to many people she met. She will never be forgotten in my heart. She gave me strength when I was weak, she was a very positive influence on my life that has made me strong and positive threw out my journey. I loved her very much and will always remember the times, walks, conversations and laughter that we shared together. My sincere condolences is extended to all her family and friends.
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Tammy Price posted a condolence
Thursday, August 17, 2017
My deepest sympathies to you and your family Bud. Bonnie touched many lives over the years and made such a difference to whoever she came in contact with. She will every be fondly remembered for her caring heart toward everyone. I learned so much from her while she worked with us. It was hard not to feel her strength and drive for whatever cause she was pursuing. May you hold onto all the memories tightly and forever keep them close
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Dawn Harpur posted a condolence
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Dear Bud, family and Bonnie's family
I feel so fortunate to have known Bonnie and to have, only a few weeks ago, hugged her tightly. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. She was a shining example of what we all should try to be -caring & loving, straightforward.
Warm blessings.
Dawn
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Lynn Wright posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
So sorry to hear of the passing of Bonnie. What a shock. This woman was like a second mother to me in my youth. She understood me at times when my own mother didn't. Quite often my mom would say to me , "are you sure you're not Bonnie's kid" lol. She taught me to cook in her mom and dad's restaurant....how the customers were always right until they were wrong! and then she taught me how not to take hell from them when they were lol. I also will never forget the day she told her father "Ernie, get the hell out of my kitchen or me and the girls are leaving!" on one of the busiest weekends ever at the restaurant. Ernie high tailed it out of her way and we didn't see him for hours. hahah She was a mom, a friend, and a confidante as well as Aunt Bon to my own kids. Many a night I remember being at her home while her and my mom sat drinking black Russians and solving world issues...while Jeff , Craig and I were upstairs watching tv . My favourite memory of Bonnie , and there are many, was when she talked my mom , priss that she was, into going smelt fishing!!! haha my mom smelt fishing..clearly there were too many beverages that night..and I had to drive mom home.
I will miss her immensely. Jeff, Craig hugs to both of you and all of your family as well.
Our thoughts are with you,
Lynn Wright, Mariah, Jamie-Lynn and Jesse and also from Perry Wilson.
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Jim and Lorraine Hewett posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Bud and family- we were very saddened to hear that Bonnie had passed away so suddenly. Our deepest condolences to you and the family.
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Melanie Kordowski posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Dear Craig and Kelly
I am so very to hear about your loss. Thinking of you both, and your family.
Melanie
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Gwenn & Rick McDonald lit a candle
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
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Gwenn & Rick McDonald posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Our deepest Condolences to Bud & All Bonnie's Family. She will be dearly missed. Bonnie, to me, was such a Compassionate, Caring person who would do anything for anyone day or night. Her longing to help people was apparent in her still working until this age. Bonnie didn't pull punches! But her Sincerity was also Very Apparent! She mentioned how proud she was of her family. Also her Love for Joe. And her love for Bud. How she would go home & Bud's hug would remove any tension she was feeling. I will certainly miss Bonnie Very Much! God Bless Everyone. Gwenn & Rick McDonald
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John Kirby posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
I was saddened to read about Bonnie's passing. I worked with her at the Children's Aid Society for many years. She was caring, compassionate, hard working force to be reckoned with. There are many families in Grey County that can thank Bonnie for her hard work on their behalf. My condolences to her family.
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Deborah Pope posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
I am sorry to have heard of Bonnie's passing. I first met Bonnie when I was taking a parental leave early in my career. Bonnie came in to cover my leave and had such an awesome way of working with the vulnerable people that our work entailed. She made me laugh and taught me much about how to be real with people as the best way to help them make change in their lives. We would later cross paths again as she continued to help individuals who struggled to express themselves in the best way. She didn't do their talking, she simply sat with them and reminded them about what they were working on and what was or was not helping them get there. I saw the impact she had on the people she worked with. She was gifted, she believed where others would have given up hope, she stood by through the tough stuff, these gifts she had will stay here with the people's lives she touched, even though she is no longer here. Thoughts are with your family at this time.
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Jacqueline (Mole) Mooney lit a candle
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
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Bill and Rosemary Cutbush posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Bud,
We were so very sorry to see the news in the newspaper. Please know that our thoughts are with you right now and always.
Bill and Rosemary Cutbush
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Gary Shelly Nathaniel Patrick Grady lit a candle
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
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Jeff &Craig,
Sorry to hear about your mothers passing she and I had lots of fun making Ernie burgers back in the day.
She will be missed by all.
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Helen Westover posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
I am sorry for your loss.
Bonnie was a wonderful woman. She helped so many people, in so many ways. I first met her when I was teaching on the Peninsula, and later knew her as a casual friend. Her smile and hugs were always capable of making me feel good, and secure.
She will be missed by many.
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Mary Obermaier posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
Deepest Sympathy to Bonnie's family at this very sad time.
I am grateful to have had Bonnie in my life from my age of 12. Sometimes playing the role of big sister, sometimes mother, many times teacher and many years mentor and friend.
Bonnie along with Jean were my first bosses, working at the Driftwood Restaurant in the early 70's. On busy nights, as the restaurant was filling up with dinner guests, Bonnie would often sneek the kitchen staff out the back door down to the lake for a quick swim to cool before the heat of the cooking. She was always good to us, taking care of everyone, even cutting my hair and sister Cindy's in the back room of the restaurant, when needed. #besttimesofmylife
Bonnie touched and changed the life of many, she was a Gift from God, an undercover Angel . Truly a life to be Honoured, Celebrated and never Forgotten.
Forever in our Hearts
Mary Obermaier and Rolfe Jahnke
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Sue Holme lit a candle
Monday, August 14, 2017
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Sue Holme posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
To Bud and family: I am shocked and extremely saddened to hear about Bonnie. She was a great friend to both Bruce and I for many years. We were colleagues and on some levels kindred spirits in our desire for excellent childcare and in supporting difficult children. Her passing will be a tremendous loss to the families and the professionals she worked with. We who knew her and interacted with her over the years were indeed blessed by her wisdom, wrapped in her love, and were all made better because of the interactions with her. She was truly a one of a kind and will never be replaced. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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Michelle Akitt posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
I am so saddened to hear of Bonnie's passing. I will always remember her as a strong, amazing woman, friend and mentor. She played a very big part in my life in my late 20's and early 30's and my memories of her will always be held dear to my heart.
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Teresa Gibson posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
Heather and Family,
I was sorry to hear about Bonnie's passing. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I will think of Bonnie playing Bridge with mom...and now they can continue playing while looking down on us.
Love
Teresa Gibson
(formally of Sauble Beach)
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Peninsula Family Health Team posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
Bud, Craig, Jeff and families
We were all shocked to hear of Bonnie's sudden passing on Saturday.
She was an integral part of our work family and helped so many people over her long career in Social Work.
We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers and hope that your wonderful family memories from happier times will bring you some comfort now and in the days to come.
We will miss her dearly.
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connie mooney posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
Craig and Jeff please accept my condolences on the death of your mom. I have a lot of memories of her she was a good friend to my brother Jack Thoughts and prayers going out to you and the extended family. May she rest in peace.
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Dan Kerr posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
Jeff and Family
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom, Bonnie. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Dan
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marlene posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of bonnie...She was a good friend and helped many who chatted with her..she will be dearly missed...God bless...
145 Queen Street West
Hepworth, Ontario N0H 1P0