O'NEIL, NONA CATHERINE (nee RATCHFORD) - Nona Catherine O'Neil (nee Ratchford) of Bowen Island, B.C. died peacefully on May 12th at the Palliative Care Unit of the Vancouver General Hospital. Nona was born in St. Boniface, MB in 1923, third of four children of John Ratchford and Evarilda Soucy. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Arthur R. O'Neil of Saint John, N.B., in 1998. She is survived by six children; Barbara O'Neil of Cranbrook, B.C., Patrick of Alert Bay, B.C., Brian of New Westminster, B.C. Colleen O'Neil of Bowen Island, B.C., Paul of Delta, B.C., and Peter of Ottawa. She had 13 grandchildren - Tony, David, Michael, Shannon, Kelly, Jake, Colin, Kathleen, Shea, Kit, Erin, Devin and Will. She was predeceased recently by her sister Alice Phelan, of Toronto, and has two brothers, Joe and Charlie Ratchford. The Ratchford's moved to Toronto when Nona was very young, and she was brought up on Glenayr Road. She began her working life with Canadian Breweries in Toronto, then served as a W.R.C.N.S. (Navy Wren), in World War II, stationed first in Halifax, then overseas in Scotland until Dec.'45. Nona was married in Toronto in 1946, then moved to Saint John with Art, and started her family in 1947 with the arrival of Barbara. Her children were everything to her. She encouraged us to enjoy reading, sports and games, but especially music. The evidence truly lies in the considerable musical talents of her grandchildren, with whom Nona's will live on in many homes filled with the music of pianos, guitars and fiddles. A small family service was held on Bowen Island, with all of her children present. She will be missed.