Bonnie June was welcomed into the world by parents Jim and Betty (Johnson) Lunn on April 25, 1947, in Durham. Bonnie made her family complete, joining older siblings Wayne and Barb. The Lunn family lived in Hanover and attended Hanover Public School. On their walk to school, Bonnie and Barb would hide cigarettes in a lumber pile so their dad wouldn’t find out! When Bonnie was fifteen, her family moved to Durham, and she attended Durham High School. Near the end of high school, the Lunn family moved to Toronto. Bonnie began working at a pizza place behind the counter. Bonnie’s father never found out about her smoking, until one particular day when he came to see her at work, he noticed smoke rolling under the counter at the till!
Bonnie attended hairdressing school in Toronto and began working at a studio in Toronto. In 1967, she made the decision to move back to the country and she lived with her grandmother. Bonnie began working at her uncle, Jack Johnson’s restaurant in 1969. Here, she worked alongside a young man by the name of Peter John Subject. The two grew closer the more that they worked together and started seeing each other more and more outside of the restaurant.
While dating, Bonnie and Peter would take drives and tour around the area. After one of their dates, Bonnie brought a cattail in Peter’s car with her. Peter specifically told her not to break open the cattail or she would have to walk home. Bonnie, who never took instructions from others well, continued to break open the cattail. Peter continued to follow through on his warning, and left Bonnie standing on the side of the road! Although he didn’t go very far, she never made a mess in his car again!
Bonnie moved to Owen Sound to work at House of Beauty and lived with Gail Fritsch in an apartment. In 1969, she took a position as a manager at Dale’s Hair Styling. Shortly after, Bonnie and Peter got engaged, and the two were married on July 10, 1971, at Peabody. Why 1971, you may ask? At that time, twenty-one years old was the legal age to purchase beer, and with Bonnie being three years older than Peter, he would always ask her to buy beer for him. She never complied, so they planned their wedding around when Peter would be legal to purchase alcohol himself!
As newlyweds, Bonnie and Peter moved to Peabody and ran the general store. In the same building, Bonnie opened her own hair studio and continued hairdressing there when they closed the store after three years. In March of 1973, Bonnie and Peter’s lives changed forever when they welcomed their first child Anthony, and shortly after made their family complete with the arrival of Tawnya in July of 1974.
In 1999, they moved to Peter’s family mixed farm on the 12th Concession in Elmwood. Bonnie helped with the chores, and she loved the pigs that they had on the farm. Bonnie began working as a waitress at the Holiday Inn in Owen Sound and then began working at Bellamy’s Restaurant, also in Owen Sound. In the late 90’s, she started her own restaurant, with a name that was so fitting… Bonnie’s Way (what else would it be called!) She only had the restaurant for two years, before working at the Grey Rose in Hanover. Once it closed, she began working for Home & Community Support Services in Owen Sound, doing housework, and making meals. She also provided private personal care for three years until her retirement in 2020.
In between her very busy schedule, Bonnie sold Avon Makeup Products and also helped Elsie Frook with catering. When the kids were involved with sports, she assisted with Tawnya’s baseball team and helped coach Baton. Bonnie enjoyed making decorations, although she wasn’t a master with the glue gun, often burning her fingers! Bonnie also didn’t have the knack for baking. One day, she made tea biscuits, and they were so hard that the dog couldn’t even bite into them. This was her first attempt at domesticity, so it is safe to say that was the last time she ever baked!
Bonnie enjoyed raisin pie and the sandwiches she made at home were never as good as the ones she enjoyed at funerals! Bonnie enjoyed her coffee, and her children knew, based on how much coffee was left in her mug when the appropriate time was to talk to her! They also knew never to talk to her before 10 a.m. Bonnie liked watching Murder She Wrote, and game shows on TV, especially Price is Right and Let’s Make a Deal. She enjoyed listening to Elton John and Elvis Presley and was so proud that she had the chance to see Elvis at the CNE where he touched her hand in the front, at the age of 16.
Bonnie was a firecracker. In fact, she used to fight her sister’s battles. You did not want to make Bonnie mad, or she would quickly put you in your place. It was her way or no way. Although feisty, Bonnie had a heart of gold and loved to have fun. Her phone was her best friend, always talking on the phone to family or friends. Her family held a very special place in her heart. She was a loving wife, a caring mother, and a proud and doting grandmother. She attended each of her grandchildren’s sporting events with a smile on her face and spent many hours with them on the farm.
Bonnie suffered from a long battle of health issues most of her life. She had COPD, lung cancer, an aneurysm, and an adhesion in her bowel. For the last three years, she was on oxygen. Bonnie finally succumbed to her second stroke after a very hard-fought battle. Bonnie was tough, never letting her health issues keep her down. In the last six months, her health started to decline, and in her last week, her health got even worse. Bonnie passed away at Hanover & District Hospital on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in her 77th year, surrounded by her family who loved her so deeply.
Beloved wife of Peter.
Loving mother of Anthony (Melanie) of R.R.#3 Elmwood, and Tawnya of Hanover. Cherished grandmother of Aidan, Lily, and Max. Dear sister-in-law of Ellen (Bob) Boynton of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her siblings Barbara Weltz and Wayne Lunn, and her parents Jim and Betty (Johnson) Lunn.
A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 2 – 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Diabetes Canada would be appreciated by the family.
Thoughts and prayers to Peter and family. May memories of Bonnie bring you many smiles.
So very sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. She will be greatly missed.
Anthony, Melanie, Aiden and Lily, I was so sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. May the sharing of your many wonderful memories bring you some comfort at this most difficult time. Hold each other close.
Tawnya and Peter, my condolences, I wanted to go to the service but was unable to. Mom and dad always enjoyed the social time when they they got hair cut. It was always great when she was our waitress at Grey Rose. Our thoughts are with you, keep your memories close.
My condolences to the family and really sorry to hear about Bonnie’s passing (although we used to call her Mrs. Subject). I remember Bonnie as a lot of fun and a very nice person.
We were very sorry to hear about Bonnie’s passing. She, and Peter, were always so kind and caring to our son Christopher and all Anthony’s friends when they were growing up. Our condolences to Peter, Anthony, Tawnya and families. We know she will be greatly missed by all of you.
My sincere condolences on your loss, Peter & family.
So sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. Our condolences to Peter and family
So sorry for your loss Peter and family
Peter, I’m so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing! My condolences to you and your family!
Peter and family. My deepest sympathy,just heard the sad news of Bonnie’s passing. Cherish the memories.
dear Peter & family, my deepest sympathy in the passing of Bonnie. thinking of you
Dear Peter, Anthony, Tawnya and families, our sincere sympathy for your loss, treasure your memories, they last forever…
Peter and family
We are so sorry to hear about your loss of Bonnie
I worked with Bonnie for several years
Always the positive lady with a beautiful smile
Larry and Elaine Frook
My sympathy to Peter,Anthony,Tawnya and families.
Bonnie cut my hair for many years and we had some great conversations
So sorry to hear of her passing
Al Monk
Peter, Anthony, Tawnya and families, my condolences to you and all your family. So many great memories of Bonnie. I was saddened to hear of her passing.
Peter and family, we are very sorry for your loss.
Tawnya and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peter and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Bonnie. We had lots of good times in our younger years. Rest in Peace Bonnie.
sorry to hear this Peter Met Bonnie a few times knew her family some what though Aunt Maggie and Uncle Jack Lunn and. when you lived in Peabody. Maggie Lunn and my Dad Walter Hastie were brother and sister
So sorry for your loss Peter and family.
Peter and family, my sincere condolences, our families have many good memories of years together first as children growing up and then later on meeting in unexpected circumstances. My heart goes out to Tawnya who I met while living in Hanover.
Dear Peter and family: So sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. Treasure your memories. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family
Our condolences to you all, Thinking of you
Peter so sorry to hear of Bonnie’s passing. My sincere condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Peter & family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences.
My sincere condolences to Peter, Anthony & Melanie, Tawnya, Ellen & families… I only knew Bonnie with a smile & determined look of “getting the job done” while being that friendly waitress!
What a legacy she passes onto the kids & grandkids. HUGS to you all!!!
Peter and family ; Deepest sympathy to you on the passing of Bonnie. She was a very special lady. Hugs. Sharon and family.
Peter and family. We are sorry to hear of the passing of Bonnie. We are extending our deepest sympathy
So sorry for your loss
Peter and family sending our condolences to you. Sorry for your loss.
Dear Peter & family. So sorry to hear of Bonnie passing. We remember her doing hair at Peabody and also working at the Grey Rose. What a friendly wonderful person she was.
Dear Peter and family, our sincere condolences to each of you. So many memories over the years. She was a very caring and kind person. She loved her family and was so proud of each of you, she will be missed by so many. Cherish the memories as we know you will.
Dianne, Ross and family.
Peter and Family
May the memories of Bonnie’s Smiles and Love help you through this difficult time.
My Deepest Condolences
Tawnya and family- I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear about Bonnie’s passing. She was a great neighbour! She was a lovely kind lady!