Florence Isabel (Fanning) ‘Pookie’ Bona
Born In: Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: October 26th, 2015
After a full and spirited life, Florence passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at the age of 88.
Born in Canso, N.S., Florence was the daughter of the late Gerald and Lillian (Morris) Fanning.
As a matriarch of our family, Florence was a woman of great faith and a dedicated wife of Clarence for 67 years. She was the mother of 11 children and a caring compassionate friend.
Among mom’s many accomplishments: she was always a strong advocate for people with mental and physical disabilities, especially for her son, John. She loved roses and making crochet dish towels and chocolate balls and took great pleasure in sharing them with all who touched her in life. They are enjoyed by friends and family right across Canada.
Florence is dearly loved and will be forever missed by her husband, Clarence; daughters, Lillian (Eldin) Campbell, Alta., Anne (Roddy) Bereziuk, Halifax, Marie Chiasson, Victoria Mines, Clarisse (Bert) MacDonald, Catalone Gut, Rosalie (Billie) Usher, Gardiner Mines and Eileen (Dale), Alta.; sons, Joey (Valetta), Ont., Jimmy (Sharon), Whitney Pier, and Jerry (Kim), Ont.; 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Valencia MacKinlay, Halifax, and Molly (Bruce), Greenlaw, Ont.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Florence was predeceased by her daughter, Gloria and baby Troy Hennick; son, John; son-in-law, Eddie Chiasson; sisters, Mamie, Eileen, Marjorie, Lillian and Genesta; brothers, Donnie, Charles, Tom and Robert ‘Bob’. Her charm, humour and endlessly giving naturally will be greatly missed by all and especially her lifelong friend, Enid Gosse.
Visitation for the late Florence Bona will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2014, at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), from 5-8 p.m. Funeral service to celebrate the life of Florence will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Pier Community Funeral Home, All Faith Chapel with Fr. Alex MacLellan officiating. Light refreshments will be served in the funeral home reception area following the service. Private family interment will take place in new Calvary Cemetery, Whitney Pier, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Florence may be made to Cape Breton Resi-care, Horizon Achievement Centre or charity of one’s choice.
Special thanks to the care providers at CBRH palliative care (angels) and all of mom’s doctors, nurses, home keepers and personal care workers especially, her family doctor, Dr. M. Smith for the past 50 years.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com.
For all the times you gently picked me up
When I fell down
For all the times you tied my shoes
And tucked me into bed
Or needed something
But put me first instead
For everything we shared
The dreams, the laughter
And the tears
I love you with a Special Love
That deepens every year
Thank you Mom
