Jeanne Bonnell, Born July 10, 1931, Died December 8, 2014
The saying, “When god made you, he broke the mold” must have been written for Jeanne Bonnell, who was known by many as “Jeannie B, Nana, Mom, Auntie, Madame”. Jeanne passed away peacefully on Monday December 8, 2014. Jeanne lived a fulfilling 83 years of life, spending 64 of them with her husband Art. Art and Jeanne moved to the North East Kingdom 35 years ago on a whim from Montreal, where they were both born and raised. Jeanne left a well-appointed job as the first female Manager at IBM in Canada, which was something she never told people, because, to Jeanne, it was not a big deal. When moving to Newport they had no plans, no jobs, just the desire to enjoy life at an early age and to see where the cards would fall. The cards never fell, they continued to build. Jeanne spent 27 years at the Community National Bank, where her official title was Director of Community Circle, however, she was so much more than that to those she worked with: she was a mentor, a consultant, a shoulder to lean on, the funny lady at the bank in the eyes of a child and quite frankly to the adults as well.
Her grandson Evan’s post on FaceBook summarizes how I think everyone who had the privilege of knowing Jeanne feels: I don’t usually write these sorts of things but that lovely, spunky, funny, caring and stubborn lady helped shape me into the man I am today. May you rest in comfort and peace and know that all of us down here thank you for everything you’ve done for us and taught us throughout your incredible journey on earth. I love you Nana to the end of the earth and back and I’ll miss you dearly but know that every life you touched was that much better for you being a part of it. We’ll be seeing you, make sure you save us a seat up there ;)
Jeanne is survived by her husband Arthur, son Garry and wife Lynda, daughter Judy, daughter Sandra and husband Walter, granddaughter Amanda and husband Miguel, grandsons Evan, Alex and wife Lauren and first great grandchild Lexi.
Jeanne and her family would like to send a big thank you to the North Country Hospital for their care and compassion over the past week. They are truly fantastic people.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to North Country Hospital Scholarship Fund. Jeanne’s wishes were to have a gathering in the spring to celebrate her life. Details will be announced at a later date. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.
