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 71^st 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.