I am beside myself with the news of Bonnie's passing. My heart is very heavy. I can't imagine the weight of yours.

I have so many memories of Bonnie (and Lorne) from the time I was 7 YO and I just turned 59. My mom, Muriel Bates, met Bonnie at the law firm and my dad give her away when she married Lorne. From Ryan's birthday parties, Sarah's birth, babysitting at the Scarborough house and Banff at Chic's house, House and Cotton Ball sitting at Pumphill Rise, Christmas Eve for decades at our Bates Family home on Leeson court, alternating Christmas dinners at Bates house and Bonnie and Lorne's, Bonnie dropping by almost every Sunday afternoon and the big multicoloured van in the driveway. Many dinners at our dining room table and theirs.

I moved away over 20 years ago, but I always made time to visit Bonnie and Lorne. Bonnie was there when Dad had open heart surgery, thru many of mom's health issues and I called her first when Mom died.

Bonnie didn't mince words and told it like it is. She was not afraid to say exactly what she was thinking. She had a great sense of humour, we had many great convos and she was a great cook. So many great dinners and cocktails at Bonnie and Lorne's. The memories are so innumerable, I can't possibly list them all.

I frequently called her after Lorne passed away, visited her in hospital when I came home, and we reminisced about all the fun times and memories.

I talked to her before my sister, Mary, and I went on our ancestry trip. She was keen to hear what we would discover from both Mom and Dad's side. After I got back, I called her and she was going into a hair appt. Three days later, I heard she passed away. Always pick up the phone! I kept telling myself to call Bonnie back, and I didn't get around to it. I know she would have been thrilled to hear about the trip.

Will miss Bonnie immensely who was a staple in my life for almost as long as I can remember. I know Ken, Muriel and Lorne welcomed her with open arms in their cocktail party in the sky.