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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Bonnie Gaylene Bonnett passed away at home one year ago, on May 22, 2023, of cancer in the company of her family.
She was born April 1, 1954, in Hampton, Virginia to Thomas and Gaylene Knight Bonnett.
The family lived in Hampton until moving to Colombia, South America, where her father was stationed for two years as a major in the Army until his untimely death in an airplane crash when Bonnie was 9 years old.
She moved back to Hampton by way of family in North Carolina with her mother, sister and brother.
In 1964, her mother married Frederick J. Hines, an electrical engineer for NASA. “Poppy Fred” was thereafter a beloved stepfather to the three kids and, later, grandchildren.
Bonnie graduated from Bethel High School and ultimately decided on a career in nursing. By her own amused admission, she attended at least eight colleges before receiving her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Sonoma State University in 1989.
In supporting herself through college, the job she was fondest of was running copy at the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper.
While attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 1976, she lived downstairs from Peter Stanley, who later became her husband. They both remember a Joan Baez concert as one of their first dates.
On his graduation, they moved together to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she worked in the surgical ICU and then as a visiting nurse. She had fond memories of going to the Irish pub with co-workers after work.
In 1981, they moved to California, landing in Lakeport in 1983 by way of Los Angeles and Santa Rosa. They married in 1982 in her parents’ Hampton backyard.
In Lakeport, she became very involved with maternal-child health, teaching prenatal classes, teaching child health and nutrition at Mendocino College, being a maternal-child health educator with Lake County Public Health and working in an obstetrician’s office.
Bonnie bonded especially with the Hispanic community, being fluent in Spanish from her two years in Colombia as a child, and subsequent language and cultural studies. This bond enriched her relationships with her clients and employers throughout her career.
For the last 20 years of her career, she worked for Easter Seals with kids aged birth to 3 with disabilities, initially as an early interventionist and ultimately as the director of the Lake County office. Her greatest joy remained home visits, getting on the floor with little ones to evaluate their needs and to educate the parents on techniques that help their children adapt and develop.
Bonnie was a devout Catholic, which underpinned much of her work and relationships with others. She was very active in her church, St. Mary’s in Lakeport, and felt connected to its community. She especially liked being a part of the music at St. Mary’s, sometimes being the solo member of the choir.
She enjoyed supporting her kids, including as a swim team mom with the Channel Cats, clogging with her girls as part of the Clear Lake Clikkers and as a long-time member of the School Site Council.
She loved to sing and enjoyed being part of the Sweet Adelines, rehearsing every week and putting on performances around the lake. Her other joys included working in the garden, sewing, and cooking.
Bonnie’s biggest love was her family. She leaves behind her husband, Peter; her children, Jacob (April and granddaughter Leora), Rachel (Melissa) and Elena (Jon); sister, Susie (Robyn); brother, Jeb (Shay); and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
On the anniversary of her death, May 22, we will have a brief ceremony with unveiling of her headstone at 6 p.m. at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, after which people are welcome to join us at our home to share memories.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
‘Penny’ Sequeira
May 15, 1941 – May 04, 2024
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Penelope Sequeira “Penny” passed away on May 4, 2024, just shy of her 83rd birthday.
Penny came to Lake County when she was 33 years old and fell in love with Clear Lake. She moved her young family here shortly thereafter and stayed for 49 years.
Penny co-owned the Green Acres Resort in Lakeport, California, with her husband. They eventually sold it, but Penny continued to work as a bookkeeper and admissions specialist at Lakeport Skilled Nursing for 10 years and before that, she was a bartender at the bowling alley and various other establishments around the lake.
Penny was an amazing mom, a loyal friend and a good woman. She lived life “her way” and loved life in general. The lake, the outdoors, her friends and family all brought her joy. Penny had a knack for seeing the bright side and inspires us all to do the same.
Her only surviving son, Steven (Jenelle) will miss her beyond measure, along with her best friend, Bobbi Campbell. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Nicole and Cole; and her cat, Muffin.
A celebration of life will be planned in the future. Please contact her son Steven for further details.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Loving mother, wife and forever filled with wonderment; Michelle Beers’ love of life did not come to an end with her death.
Michelle passed April 4, 2024, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer, with her husband Bill Beers and dearest friend Karen Fassler by her side.
The simple pleasures in life brought the greatest joy to Michelle. She loved the breeze casting off the ocean, was enamored by tree frogs, loved her German shepherds Bear and Jack with her entire heart, and even found a fondness for skydiving just months before her passing.
She was an avid night sky observer, making sure to catch each and every meteor shower while encouraging her children to find the beauty in astronomy as they gazed by her side.
Her curiosity didn’t extend to the skies alone, as her favorite pastime was exploring the hillsides for Lake County diamonds after the sun would reawaken behind passing rain storms.
Michelle had an uncanny way of keeping her childlike wonder and contagious humor even in the harshest of life’s moments. She loved smiley faces which was simply befitting as she would always seek any reason to smile, even in the darkest of times.
Her love of the natural world and inherent curiosity live on within her three children, Chelsea, Cody and Cory, and she is survived by her husband and loving mother Beverly Pavlischek.
Though the world is left dimmer in her passing, her light shall continue to shine on.