My Mail

I has been more than 10 days since Mom passed away and her love, life, humor and, yes, absence, is felt more than ever.

Carrie and Olivia and I  have been home for a week or so, mostly just keeping busy.

One of my jobs was to finish my new office (a closet with a surface for a laptop), and to clean off my desk in the old office.

As I was sorting mail I found two cards. One is a Mother's Day card I bought for Mom last spring, at least a month before Mother's Day. I was so proud of myself, because I'm terrible at sending cards, and buying a card in advance was huge! Unfortunately, I never sent it. Too busy. Not the right time. I'll do it tomorrow, next week, as soon as I can.....

Then, just under that, I saw a card with Mom's handwriting. My birthday card. She sent it the day we left Seattle for Mexico. It was just a day or so before she called Dave and asked him for help.

The card was sitting on my desk while we were in Mexico, while we were in Salt Lake, while we have been home on Seattle. Her words to me were simple and sweet, supportive and loving, unaware that these were her last written words to me.

If you're reading this and your mom is still alive, PLEASE jot a note to her and tell her you love her. Your dad, too. There are few things in life that, given any circumstances, you will never regret.

This is one.

I Love You, Mom.

Note from Tom & Virginia Clark

Dear Bonnie and family:

We want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  We have many fond memories of Bonnie and Alton, beginning first in Bountiful when they were first married and ending in Arizona before they moved again.  Bonnie was always fun to be around and a gracious hostess.  Even though it has been some time since we have visited, Geri has kept us posted on your family and many of your doings.  May you find a greater love and unity as you rally around your mother and say goodbye.  In the end this life is about families and eternal life.

Love,

Tom and Virginia

Bonnie Bell Clark passed away Monday, November 23, 2015, after a difficult, but mercifully short battle with cancer.  She chose to forego treatment and instead spent her last months traveling to Europe with family, visiting friends and nurturing her vast circle of loved ones.

To say we grieve the loss of our friend, mother, grandmother, great-grandma – the pillar of our family --  would be an understatement. But to say we lost the core of our family would be untrue, for that core is the living legacy she left behind – unconditional love, generosity of kindness and spirit, and a boundless capacity for forgiveness, all built on a bedrock of responsibility and compassion.

Bonnie was born July 27, 1933 in Ogden, UT, to Henry M. Bell and Selma Gorder Bell.  She graduated from Davis High School in 1951.

Bonnie loved family camping trips and trout fishing. She loved gardening, horses, martinis and slot machines. She could beat you at golf. She adored her Boston Terriers. She treasured family holidays, where visitors would find a table of fine china, a steaming pot of spaghetti, a deck of poker cards and a warm wit.

Travel was a particular passion. From China to Alaska, from the beaches of Normandy to the crisp air of Mt. Hood, she delighted in sharing the wonders of the road with the ones she loved.

But her real treasure was family. Bonnie raised her family in Bountiful, UT and Boise, ID, and lived for many happy years in Scottsdale and Nogales, AZ.  As her children married, she embraced each new spouse as another child, and her growing legacy of grands and greats brought her immense joy.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents and two great men, her first husband Russell James Yeates, and Alton Clark, her husband for  43 years.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Jeanette Clark Whitesides, and her children, Allison (Justin) Fox and Griffin Whitesides; her son Michael Clark and his children Alena Clark and Jodi Lynne (Garrett) Magoffin (and great grandchildren Jeremiah, Benjamin and Savannah); her son David (Jeanette) Clark, and their children Jennifer (Patrick) Anderson, Kathryn (Clayton) Pratt, and Angela (Joel) Simmons; her son Douglas (Carrie) Clark, and their daughter, Olivia Clark.

We would like to thank the friends and family who rallied to show Bonnie their love and support through her illness. In particular, we would like to thank the professionals at Harmony Hospice, who helped us to give back to someone who has given so much – a dignified passing, painless, and surrounded by love.

Viewings will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 8 pm, and Wednesday, Nov. 25  from  9:45 to 10:45 am, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT. Funeral services will be held there at 11 am. Internment services will be held afterwards at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Online condolences may be sent to www.russonmortuary.com or www.bonnieupdates.blogspot.com.

Bonnie Bell Clark
She lived and loved life to the fullest!
We will miss her big smile, her laughter
and her love for all of us.
 

Bonnie Bell Clark, July 27, 1933 - November 23, 2015

Today has been full of sweet memories and somber goodbyes.  We woke up early to help Mom and she had people sitting with her almost every minute of the day expressing their love and support.

Alison (Sis's daughter) had to catch a plane back to Portland this morning early and Jen was kind enough to drive her.  Before she left she had a good chance to visit with Mom and I could tell she was extremely broken up about her condition.  Then, Katy (My & Jeanette's daughter) headed back to Michigan and her oh-so-patient medical student husband Clayton who has supported his wife being gone this entire week.  Jen also drove Katy to the airport.

Mike was here all day and we held out hope that Mom could hold on until his daughters Alena & Jodi Lynn could make it to Salt Lake on Monday & Tuesday.  But, after a hard evening Mom passed away this morning at 12:05 am surrounded by her kids.  She will surely be missed as the glue / magnet / leader of our family since Dad passed away in 1999.  We also rejoice knowing she is in a better place and with all of those who were waiting for her on the other side of the veil.  Imagine the celebration going on in heaven as she meets with all of her loved ones!!

We want to express our love and appreciation to all those who have visited / called / sent emails / commented to Mom - we have read her every one.  We will have arrangements made for her funeral services.  We have chosen Russon Brothers Mortuary in Bountiful handle her services and will post when the viewing and funeral will be as soon as it is available.

Dave

Sunday Afternoon

Grandma decided this afternoon the oxygen tube was uncomfortable and she wanted it off. She has rested the rest of the day. She has acknowledged her kids and grand kids as they have come to visit with her. She isn't speaking much anymore but still will give a facial expression or two during a conversation.

Saturday Evening / Sunday Morning

Yesterday we had quite the day. Grandma had a bath and got her hair done. She loved having her hair brushed. The bath wore her out so she rested for quite a while. Her granddaughter Angie (Dave's daughter) was making Grandma's rolls for a "Friendsgiving" party that she was throwing. Grandma needed to taste the dough to make sure it was all right. Angie also had a turkey cooking all day - grandma kept wondering when she was going to get the turkey leg.

Doug cooked up a feast last night - stuffed acorn squash. Between the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen and the sound of shuffling cards from the game of hearts her grand kids were playing she decided she wanted to be part of the action. She asked to be taken out to the living room in her wheel chair and sat with us for a few minutes as we played cards. When it was time for dinner she wanted to be taken to the table and have a family meal together. She had a few bites of the mushed up squash and told us all how proud of us she was. But being up for those 20 minutes wore her out and she went back to bed and rested.

Mike flew in last night. She was asleep when he came in and woke up for a few minutes and they had a chance to say hi.

This morning she has been having small conversations with people as they come and go. Mike made it back and they spent a while visiting.

We are keeping up on the pain meds so she doesn't feel anything and she is resting comfortably now.

She has loved hearing the comments and stories that you have posted here, sent to one of us or told us about. One thing is for sure - if she knows we are sitting outside talking she likes us to move the conversation to her or as she said "let's have a jam session in here". She will listen to us to talk them come up with something funny or sarcastic - true to her personality - and will have us all laughing.

Jen