The death occurred peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2012 in Huntsville, Ontario at the age of 59 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Beloved daughter of Ella Bonham and the late Ronald Bonham.
Dot leaves behind her two sisters Brenda (David) and Barbra (Michael) and her nieces Lindsey and Katie and her nephews Daniel and Benjamin. Dot will be sadly missed by her long-time companion Don Strano and her many friends and colleagues.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Trinity United Church,
33 Main Street East, Huntsville, at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made at www.hospicehuntsville.com .
Raymond Shaver
I just found out about Dot’s passing tonight. Although I hadn’t seen her for over 40 years I’m really sad and
shocked. When we were kids, she was my next door neighbor. We used to walk to high school together. She was my very first high school crush. If I seen her walking behind me I’d get butterflies in my stomach. I would always slow down so she’d catch up to me. Then when she did catch up my heart would start pounding so hard I thought she’d hear it ! In those days I was so shy I could barely speak when she was near. Unfortunately for me, we never dated or anything probably because and I was always so intimated by how beautiful she was ! Although she was clearly way out of my league she was ” always ” really kind, nice and friendly to me. In the years after that had I moved away, I always regretted not having had the nerve to share my feelings about her with her. You know that cliche about, ” The One That Got Away ” …. well that’s who Dot was and always will be to me. No matter what ladies have come and gone throughout my lifetime, I have always has a very special place in my heart for Dot ! My condolences to her family, especially Barb and Brenda, ( L.P’s Queens) whom I also went to school with,
Yours Truly, Ray.
Ken Connell
I was shocked to hear about Dot – I just heard when I was in Gravenhurst this week. My sympathies to the whole family. I’m sorry to hear of this and I’m sure you will miss her very much.
Wendy Gray
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Miss Bonham. She was a special lady and teacher. She taught my daughter at Riverside school, my daughter had special needs and Miss Bonham always had the ability to bring the best out in my daughter. I truly believe she had the gift for teaching and will be missed, but Heaven will be a better place because she is there. My condolences to family.
Harvey & Verna Rickward
So sorry Donny on your lost Harvey & Verna
Marjorie (Smith) Jones
Sincere sympathies in your loss of Dorothy. You are in our thoughts. Take care Donnie
Brenda Walker
I also worked with Dorothy at Riverside, many years ago. I know she will be missed by her friends and colleagues, both present and former. Thinking of you Donnie, and send sincere condolences to you and all of her family.
Ed and Eva Treadway and family
Please accept our sincerest sympathies on the passing of Dot. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Hillary Neill
I went to Riverside Public School way back in the day. She was always a very nice lady with a calming and positive presence. My thoughts go out to her family and friends/coworkers.
Anne Lindsay
When I first moved to Huntsville, Dot and I were roomates. We shared alot of laughs that year, as we dealt with everything from a lack of consistent heat to our mutual lack of culinary skills. I came to appreciate her resilience, her self-sufficiency and her sense of humour. Later, as we became teaching colleagues and she taught my son Kindergarten, I came to appreciate her dedication and warmth as a teacher. She will be missed.
Debbie Bonham Dyment
Dear Aunt Ella, Brenda, Barbara and families,
Please accept my sincere condolences, for all of you. I remember a night when we were all out in a park and Dot playing her accordian and us dancing to it. It’s a fond memory.
Know that we are thinking of you all and praying for you at this time. Love Debbie and Dave.
Betty Ewin
Dad and I are sending our deepest sympathies to Aunt Ella, Brenda, Barbra and families. We will be thinking of you on Saturday and all the best to you in the days ahead. Love from Uncle Maurice and cousin Betty.
Diane Schamehorn
My deepest sympathy goes to you Don, and Dot’s family. I worked with Dot at Riverside many years ago, and she was always so caring towards her student. Dot always had a smile on her face and a postive outlook on life. We had so much fun together and lots of laughs.
Susan Waddington
I had the pleasure if working with dotty for the past 21 years at riverside. She was a mentor,friend and colleague in special education for the past 6 years. We had so much fun together and had a lot of laughs. She cared south about the special needs children and always had their needs first. I know the last few years at riverside were challenging especially going throu the chemo. Dot always kept a positive attitude.i am presently travelling around new Zealand since I retired from teaching and riverside at Christmas. I wish I could tell you in person what a wonderful person and friend dot was to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The Leahy Family
To Dorothy’s family & friends,
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your daughter, sister, and friend
Dorothy Bonham. We know that Dorothy was a big fan of Leahy’s and enjoyed
our music very much. We are humbled knowing that our music means so much to
people and up-lifts them, as you have told us it did for Dorothy. Thank you
so much for giving us the chance to make a difference in her life; it was
our honour and privilege.
God bless!
The members of Leahy
Mabel Webber
Hi Ella, I am so sorry to read about Dorothy yesterday in the paper. I am thinking of you and the family at this time. If you would like to get in touch with me and talk that would be wonderful. Send a e-mail to Linda and she will pass on my phone number. Hope to talk with you soon. Mabel
Tracy Lavelle
Ella, Brenda, Barbra and Families…So saddened by the loss of such a wonderful woman…Thinking of her brings back such great memories…we truly had the best next door neighbours!!!!I know on behalf of all my family we wrap you all in the biggest hug and our thoughts are with you….Cheers Dot you are and will be missed girl!!! xo Lavelle Family!!
Steve and Lee Burton
Dear Brenda and Dave and all of your extended family,
We were so sorry to hear of Dot’s death and know that this has been such a hard year for you overall. It seems that she fought such a long, brave and gracious battle with cancer. She had the good fortune to have the enviable bond of a close and loving family and you will continue to help each other with her loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Steve and Lee
Ken and Jeanne Eadie
Don, Mrs Bonham, and Families
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
We shall miss Dorothy at the Lake.
Ken and Jeanne Eadie
carol Bonham
My deepest condolences on the death of my cousin. My prays are with you all
Murray Dudman
Hello Barbra;
I was saddened to see the notice of Dorothy in today’s Toronto Star and went to our high school yearbooks to find pictures of her, you, and Brenda. My sympathies are with you and hope that you continue to be well.
With fond memories of our days at Lorne Park Secondary School.
Murray
sue bergman
We are so sorry to hear of Dot’s passing.She was beautiful girl inside and out and I’m sorry that we haven’t been in touch for so long, however I have fond memories of such a wonderful cousin.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love
Brad and Sue Bergman
Terri Howell
I worked with Dot at Riverside years ago and enjoyed her cheerful disposition and stories. She will certainly be missed.
Terri
Terry & Bonnie Snyder
Dot will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you