Patricia Bonney

Patricia Bonney was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A caring nurturer, she cherished her years as a mother and was delighted with the arrival of her grandchildren. Living her life to the fullest and enjoying the company of each person who came her way, she leaves behind a rich legacy of accepting all people with compassion. Her warm personality, genuine friendship, and loving ways will be deeply cherished for generations to come.

During the middle of one of the toughest decades in American history, John M and Florence (Baxter) Seven welcomed home the arrival of their newborn daughter, Patricia Ann, on July 29th in Grand Rapids. Later joined by her younger brother, John “Buzz,” her birth brought much joy and happiness to her family.

Bright and studious, she graduated with the Class of 1949 from Union High School. Within a year she was engaged to Malcom “Mike” Bonney. Although he was four years older, the two of them were eager to start their life together and joined in marriage on August 5, 1950. Patricia and Mike welcomed home their four wonderful children over the course of seven years.

As a family, they loved to go camping together. Eventually, they traded their army tent for a drier camping experience from the comfort of their trailer. Burt Lake and Sand Lake shared an equal amount of memories. By the time the kids were in elementary school, Patricia joined the workforce as a clerk at the Merchant Service Bureau downtown. Mike served as a police officer and was also active with the Shriners, which provided a multitude of social events for the two of them.

Over the years, she and Mike experienced many changes in their lives. The entire family was shaken when her brother, Buzz, was killed in an automobile accident. In 1968, they moved to Silver Lake in Rockford. Patricia loved pontoon rides and the peaceful nature of the lake. She also loved her special hobbies like painting barnwood and sweatshirts. After selling the family home they moved around several times until finally settling on a home on Bostwick Lake, as they missed the lake life. For many years, she and Mike were snowbirds traveling back and forth to their place in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida.

As much as she relished in her years as a mother, Patricia was over the moon once she was blessed with grandchildren. They affectionately called her, Dolly, and their hearts were equally full whenever they visited as Dolly was always full of fun and laughter! A good listener, she loved to catch up on the important matters in each of their lives. Her beloved husband, Mike passed away in 2001 and Patricia carried on many of their special traditions over the years including spending her winters in Florida. Her home was always welcoming and everyone was made to feel special in her presence. As her own health declined over the years, she never lost her optimism or her wonderful sense of humor. Patricia’s easy-going personality and loving nature are the legacies she leaves behind. May her family never doubt her love for each of them and may they continue to practice the same kind of empathetic listening she modeled throughout their lives. Patricia wanted nothing more than the very best for the family she loved. There is no doubt that she will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for generations to come.

Patricia Ann (Seven) Bonney, age 88, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on December 22, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm “Mike” Bonney; parents, John and Florence Seven; and her brother, John “Buzz” Seven Jr. Pat is survived by her children; Michael & Mary Bonney, Catherine & Peter Mahoney, David & Ruthann Bonney, William & LaRay Bonney; ten very special grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Pat’s family welcomes visitors on Saturday, January 4, 2020, from 10-12 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. A private family service will follow with interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either the American Diabetes Association or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. To share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com