Thelma Bona
Passed on: July 1st, 2018
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Thelma (White) Bona, age 98, on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Northside General Hospital, with her family by her side. Born October 8, 1919 in North Sydney, she was the daughter of the late James and Regina White.
Mamma was the leader of our extra-large family. She took great pride in telling everyone that she was 98 years old, that she had 14 children, 29 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She loved us all the same!
A little over a year ago she became a resident of the Northside Guest Home where she made many wonderful friends especially her roommate Franny. Until her retirement she worked at the Northside Guest Home having started her career at the Stella Maris.
In her younger years, Mamma taught sewing classes at Our Lady of Sorrows Church Hall resulting in the Fall Fair fashion show. She would burst with pride when she would see us modeling her latest fashions. She enjoyed sewing well into her 90’s, her sewing talent has left us with some priceless treasures that we will cherish.
Stopping at Mamma’s you could be sure there would be a never-ending pot on the stove and a counter filled with homemade pies and cinnamon rolls. It didn’t matter how many came, everyone was fed. She loved company, the more the merry she would say.
Mamma lead by example. Whatever new adventure came her way she was willing to try. She returned to work after her children were raised, joined exercise and yoga classes and even put her mind to learning to speak French. She kept her mind sharp with daily crossword puzzles right up until the end.
Mamma had the ability to tell her life story with such detail you would feel like you were there with her and she was equally as interested in our story. We are so going to miss her!
Leaving to mourn are her daughters, Midge Jones, California, Jeanie Billingsley (Chuck), Ancaster, ON, Brenda Van Snick (Gary), Baie Vert, NB, Elaine Gerrow (Roddie), Ironville, Betty Power (Pat), Sylvia Reynolds, Yvonne Allen (Terry), all of North Sydney; sons, Joey Bona (Linda), Barrachois, Jimmy Bona (Marlene), North Sydney; son-in-law, Reggie MacDonald (Linda), Barrachois; 29 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Marina Haley, Boston, Deannie Davis, Shelburne and Patsy Hawley (Rollie), Ingonish; special niece, Debbie White; sisters-in-law, Shirley MacLean and Gloria Bona.
Besides her parents and step mother, Annie Gardiner, Thelma was predeceased by her husband, Victor; her daughters, Marina MacDonald and Marlene in infancy; sons, Johnny, Reggie and Stevie; brothers, Carl, Lloyd, Bobby, Gerald, Melvin, Gordie and Reggie; sons-in-law, James Power and Richard Jones.
We would like to thank Dr. Salah for her continuous care, the Doctors and Nursing staff of Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Northside General Hospital 4 West and a very special thank you to the amazing staff of Northside Guest Home who made Momma feel at home every day. Your care will not be forgotten.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Thelma’s life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Northside Community Guest Home, Hospice Palliative Care of Cape Breton or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney.
Online condolences may be made to www.wjdooley.com.
Walk Softly, for an Angel Sleeps Here!
A Mother’s Love
There are times only when a
Mother’s Love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappointments
And calm all our fears.
There are times when only a
Mother’s Love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we’ve dreamed
About
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a
Mother’s faith
Can help on life’s way
And inspire us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother’s heart and a
Mother’s faith
And a Mother’s steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above…
By Michael O. Adesanya
