CURRIE – Bonnie Arlene (nee Zabel) aged 65 years of Swift Current, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2009, at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. Bonnie was raised in the Duncairn District and attended Silver Craig School and later Swift Current Central Collegiate. She then attended Teachers College in Regina. Bonnie’s first teaching job was in Success, SK, where she taught grade 1 and 2. It was there that she met Norris Currie. In 1965 Bonnie and Norris were married in the teacherage at Success. Bonnie and Norris moved to the Currie farm in the Cantuar community which was their home until 1997. Their three children were raised on the farm. Bonnie was very involved in the community. She played on the Cantuar womens’ ball team and was a member of the Cantuar Busy Bees. Bonnie returned to teaching at Success in 1982. She taught many different grade levels, as well as core French. Bonnie loved teaching. She was often described as “a strict teacher with a heart of gold”. The year-end camp out in the schoolyard was a highlight for many of her years at Success. She retired from teaching in 1999. Bonnie was involved in the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, the National Farmers Union and Cantuar Busy Bees. After moving to Swift Current in 1997, she became involved in the Swift Current Horticultural Society and The Quilters Guild. She still found time to volunteer playing music at various care homes and joined a book club as well. Bonnie loved gardening and was known for her roses. She also had a very special knack with children. They were drawn to her. She had an amazing ability to organize kids into impromptu games and last-minute concerts. She was a natural as a Grandma. Her ever-present smile was brightest when her Grandkids were near. She had a way of making each one feel special and unique. The quilts that she created for her Grandchildren will be a lasting legacy. Bonnie will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered as someone who always had time to lend a hand and always had an extra place at the table. Bonnie is predeceased by her parents: Arnold and Ruby Zabel, and father and mother-in-law: Doug and Mary Currie. She is survived by her husband, Norris; children: Dan (Trish Unger) Currie, Beth (Scott Washington) Currie, Greg (Nancy) Currie, grandchildren Jed, Graeme, and Callum Currie, Ian and Elsa Washington. Sisters Toni (Don) Hanna, Yvonne (Doug) Campbell; in-laws Allan Currie, Bev Currie, Floyd and Doreen Currie, Dave and Jeanette Currie and Kathryn and John Torok; as well as many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 pm at the Cantuar Community Hall in Cantuar. Bonnie’s garden continues to provide the family with beautiful bouquets so, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Farmers Union at 2717 Wentz Ave. Saskatoon, SK S7K 4B6 (306) 652-9465.