Bonnie Darlene was welcomed into the world on June 9, 1954, in the Owen Sound Hospital to parents Harvey and Ella Richards. Bonnie was one of eleven children, joining older siblings Jean, Joan, Freeda, Faye, Betty, and Dianne, and then followed by Bob and Nancy. The Richards family lived on a mixed farm with chickens and cattle in Arkwright. There was a large age gap between Bonnie and her older siblings, so since they were gone, Bonnie would help her parents around the farm. Bonnie helped with many tasks on the farm, including gathering eggs, cutting grass, haying, and working in the vegetable garden. While not in school or working on the farm, she played baseball, figure skated and was involved with Junior Farmers and 4-H. Bonnie attended the Arkwright one-room schoolhouse right beside her house and then went on to attend Chesley High School. After high school, Bonnie started working in a restaurant and then was hired at Towers department store in Owen Sound. In the evenings, she continued upgrading her education by taking night classes and courses in business/office administration.
In 1974, Bonnie met a young man by the name of James “Jim” Merle Cavill. The two hit it off and dated for a year before getting married on November 14, 1975, at St. John’s United Church in Chesley. At that time, Bonnie was living in an apartment in Chesley, so once married, Jim moved in with Bonnie. After a year, they purchased the Cavill family farm. Jim had purchased Cavill Fuels, so Bonnie quit her job at Towers and worked closely with Jim on the farm and in the business, answering the phone and doing the books. Anyone who called Cavill Fuels over the years would typically get Bonnie’s voice on the other end.
On November 26, 1978, Bonnie and Jim proudly welcomed their daughter Sarah. They took “one” family vacation when Sarah was four, to Santa’s Village. Bonnie enjoyed taking Sarah to her figure skating lessons, mainly to socialize!
Bonnie spent many hours volunteering with many local organizations and helping anywhere she could in the community. Whenever Bonnie was out at an event, she ended up taking on another role with different organizations. She volunteered with Big & Little Sisters, Chesley Minor Sports, and the figure skating club in Chesley and Hanover. She was an active member at St. John’s United Church, taking on different roles such as a Sunday School leader and the treasurer, earning her the lifetime award. Bonnie also became the treasurer for the Chesley Snowmobile Club, the United Church, and the Saugeen Antique Association. Bonnie and Jim were also heavily involved with the Saugeen Antique Steam show and donated trophies and medals for local Minor Hockey teams, the Paisley Skating Club, and two baseball teams. Bonnie always looked for ways to give back to the community and was always willing to help.
To say Bonnie was a good cook would be an understatement. She was phenomenal in the kitchen and loved cooking. Bonnie helped many friends or local groups with catering. She had five crockpots at home ready for the next event. Bonnie made an amazing trifle and could cook just about anything. Bonnie enjoyed camping at Saugeen Bluffs, until parking the trailer permanently at Sauble Beach Resort Camp. She loved her Diet Pepsi and Chinese food. Bonnie had a collection of beautiful clothing and accessories to match. Bonnie enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, and Dolly Parton. She loved organizing penny tables, crafting and decorating, whether for Christmas, Halloween, or any occasion. Bonnie liked interactive games, bingo, watching Wheel of Fortune and the Price is Right, and playing cards such as rummy and euchre.
Bonnie and Jim were always together. Bonnie enjoyed travelling along with Jim to Hanover Barons games and other places Jim wanted to check out because there might be a clothing store along the way. And if things went well, she might get lunch or dinner, too. They would often get in the truck and go….
Bonnie enjoyed the celebration of their 25th and 40th Wedding Anniversaries together. Bonnie and Jim were ecstatic on Sarah’s wedding day when she married Greg Hutton. Bonnie and Jim were responsible for bringing their dog to the wedding so she could be the flower dog. When they let the dog out, it was sprayed by a skunk. Jim, not knowing what the best thing to do was, got a can of air freshener, and tried to eliminate the smell that way. When that didn’t work, Bonnie got peroxide and baking soda to help with the smell. As most people know, it is tough to get rid of the skunk smell, so when the dog arrived at the wedding, the slight smell of skunk was still noticeable despite their best efforts to hide the smell!
One of the most life-changing and special moments in Bonnie’s life was when her two granddaughters, Sierra and Addison, were born. The girls became Bonnie’s personal shoppers in Walmart, and they would always end their trip at Brant Drive-In for ice cream! Bonnie also took the girls to local plays and babysat them when they were younger. After church on Sundays, the whole family would go for lunch. Bonnie’s family was the most important thing to her. She was always interested in hearing what the girls were up to or seeing pictures and videos of them.
Bonnie’s life changed when she was diagnosed with macular degeneration, which impaired her vision. She was no longer able to drive and do as many things that she loved.
When Jim passed suddenly in October of 2023, it was hard on Bonnie to lose the one she did everything with. Not long after Jim passed, Bonnie was taken to hospital for an extended stay and then had to reside at the Southampton Care Centre. Her health continued to decline. On January 12, 2025, she became very sick again and spent another 3 weeks in Owen Sound Hospital. She no longer had the fight in her due to the pain and suffering. She passed away at Southampton Care Centre, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, in her 71st year, surrounded by her loved ones.
Loving mother of Sarah (Greg) Cavill-Hutton of Paisley. Cherished grandmother of Sierra and Addison, and family dog Cash. Dear sister of late Jean (late Don) Kirkland, Joan (Jim) Ruth, Freeda (late Ken) Davidson, late Faye (late Doug) Stevenson, Betty (late Don) Duff, late Dianne Richards, late Bob (Anne Marie) Richards, late Nancy (Scott) Cutting, and sister-in-law of Jack (Ellen) Cavill. Bonnie will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her brother-in-law Joe Cavill, her sister-in-law Joyce McDonald, and her parents Harvey and Ella-Jane Richards.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Sunday, February 9, 2025, from 1 – 4 p.m. A funeral service honouring Bonnie’s life will be held at the Klages Mill, Chesley, on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. Spring interment in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Elderslie Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Saugeen Hospice Inc. would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Sarah, I was so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. Bonnie was always so good to my family. I will always remember her as a very kind, good-hearted lady. Sending lots of love your way.
Dear Sarah and family,
We are sorry to hear about your loss, Bonnie was such a fun and kind person to be around while at work! Adam and I enjoyed her company at Hanover hospital while doing her physiotherapy.
Sending hugs to you and your family.
From physiotherapy team at HDH
Sarah , Greg and girls, Sorry to hear about your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Hello Sarah I am so sorry for your loss that I just heard about yesterday. I sure would have been at her funeral if I had known.she was a great lady and I enjoyed working with her and seeing her
You’ll have great memories of them both.my prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time
Very sorry for your loss, Sarah and family.
Sarah, Greg and girls, my sincere condolences in the passing of your Mom, treasure all your memories!
I’m so sorry for your loss . My sincere condolences to all the families.
Sarah, Greg, Sierra, Addison, Cash I extend my deepest condolences. Although I only knew your mom and dad a very short time I treasured them as neighbours. So sorry for your loss but keep their blessed memories close.
To Sarah and the entire family, I am so sorry for your loss. Bonnie and Jim were stalwart citizens and contributors to the community. They are both missed. May your treasured memories comfort you at this time.
Sarah and family, we are so sorry to hear of Bonnies passing. She was a wonderful lady full of love and life. May you hold your memories close. Sarah you and I were both flower girls and Nancy and Scots wedding.
Our sincere sympathy Sarah & family, thinking of you at this sad time
Sarah, Greg and family ….I am very sorry for your loss – I hope the many moments you shared will bring a smile to your hearts
Sarah, Greg and family, our thoughts are with you as your mourn the loss of your mom and grandma. May your fond memories keep her close to your hearts for an eternity.
Sarah, Greg and family,
May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time. Our condolences.
Dear Sarah and family, I was saddened to hear about your mom’s passing. Our friendship goes back to Big Sisters days and later the Friends R Us outreach program. We’ve always kept in touch since then. I’m sorry I could not come in person to give you our sincere condolences to you all . Thinking of you. Christine
Sarah, Greg and family, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. RIP Bonnie
Sarah Greg & family, our sincerest condolences
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mom, grandma and sister. Extending deepest sympathy to all.
Sarah, Greg and family, we are so sorry to hear about your Mom. Sending our deepest sympathy to all of you. Hugs 🫂
our deepest condolences, Sara, Greg, and girls
Bonnie put her heart and soul into the Saugeen Antique Power Assoc. at Scone for many years! Setting up the vendors for the show, bingo, penny auction, corn on the cob was a must, crafters tent, which was always adorned with corn stalks and many beautiful flowers! Our banquets were arranged by Bonnie as food was another specialty of hers! Bonnie was also our treasurer, keeping us informed!
Sara, Greg, Sierra and Addison our sympathies to you, Bonnie will be forever missed, we only touched one of her passions! We are so sorry for her failing health, now she is with the love of her life!!
Peter, Birdie, Rusty, Allie and Lena Hood
Sincerest sympathies Sarah,Greg and family
May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time
Sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. Always enjoyed our chats and quick visits when we saw each other in town.
Dear Sarah and family….so sorry to hear about your mom, she was always such a generous, pleasant and very supportive person to so many organizations….she was always ready for a chat any time you would see her. Our thoughts are with you and your family now and in days to come….
Deepest sympathy to you and your family Sarah.
Our condolences Sarah and the rest of your family on the loss of your mom
She always had a smile for everyone that knew her. The Richard’s family and the Robinson families go back a long way in time and both had 11 children
Back in the day.. May your memories be close to your heart.
To Sarah & family
So sorry to hear your Mom has passed away.
Bonnie was so wonderful to my Mom Blanche Elder at Elgin Abbey. We are 5hinking of you all at this sad time.
Don & Bernice Ewart.
Our sincere sympathy and condolences to you and your family Sarah on the loss of your dear Mother. For the past 30 years since Nancy’s passing she has always checked up on Alicia and Chad to see how they are doing, and been very generous in giving to them. So appreciated by them and myself. Sending you Big Hugs and Love at this difficult time! Love Uncle Scot (Sue), Alicia (Steve), Chad, Bentley and Kole.
Our sympathy to you, Sarah and family on the loss of your Mom. I think of her as a bundle of energy, always busy, planning, or on her way somewhere, but she was never too busy to share that energy with others. She had a way of connecting that is so important in building community. I know you felt her pride in you, and she was the best at sharing that too! What a great Mom talent to have! Bonnie will be missed, but has left so many happy memories.
Sarah and family, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Cherish the memories of your Mom and Dad, as they will live on in your children. Hugs
Sarah and family – sending our deepest sympathies for the loss of your mom and grandma. Rick and I both fondly remember many great chats with her over the years. Hugs
Sarah, Greg and family we are sending you our deepest sympathy. Bonnie was always a cheerful and helpful voice whenevery we called. She was a presence in our communty and will be missed.
Sarah, Gregg and Girls
We are so sorry for your loss. Bonnie will be greatly missed and has left many memories for all she connected with in her life. She was a wonderful mentor to me(Kathy) when I was involved in the Chesley Skating Club. I was very grateful for all the phone calls that guided me through the red tape of the skating world!
Our sincere condolences to Sarah,Greg and family. She was a very friendly person and will be greatly missed. Treasure your happy memories.
Bonnie is a woman who will be remembered. I worked with her when she was Treasurer at St Johns and would answer any of her questions about billings the best I could. She was always fair and used common sense. Ann worked along side her at the Chesley Figure Skating club and said that not many would recall the endless hours of dedicated time she spent with that organization. Thank you for people like Bonnie who did it out of the goodness of her heart. Rest in peace Bonnie you deserve it…..
So sorry for your loss. May your memories comfort you at this difficult time.
Sincere Condolences!
I sure enjoyed Bonnie’s company and her sharp wit ! R.I.P. my dear friend, may God grant you “eternal rest” So sorry for your loss Sarah and family. Hugs
Great lady
Sincere sympathy.
Our condolences to Sarah and her family on the loss of Bonnie. I first met Bonnie at a 4-H leadership course in Walkerton and our paths crossed often after that. She never forgot a face and always had something cheerful to say. I always enjoyed our visits whenever they happened. May your cherished memories bring you comfort. She will always be with you.
Sarah, Greg & Family –So sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing . May your many memories be a comfort to you in the days ahead. She will be dearly missed.
So sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing I’m sure she and Jim are travelling somewhere today. They both are missed deeply by the community. Cherish her memories