H. Marie Bonn

September 5, 1932 - September 27, 2019

H. Marie Bonn, a long-time resident of Oregon City, passed away at the Troutdale facility she had lived in for the past year and a half at the age of 87. Loved ones were by her side. “You know, I’ve had a really great life!” was Marie Bonn’s enthusiastic message she reported to several family members just a few months prior to her passing. This was her way, remembering the good things in life. A member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Oregon City, Marie always took solace in reciting The Lord’s Prayer. She lived her life and raised her children guided by strong values. Humility, being charitable , and having a hard-work ethic were natural God-given traits of Marie’s. Marie and her husband, Jim, had been married for 69 years. The two of them had an especially close relationship. Together they raised 7 children, always taking them on fun, memorable, summer camp-outs. She ran the household, chauffeured kids to school, sports’ practices and events, and taught them to play cards. Gardening was a hobby of Marie’s. She had a green thumb, growing peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. For so many summers and falls,she canned vegetables and fruit to provide for the many mouths she had to feed. Marie’s large family was given the very best because she worked so diligently, always doing without and scrimping on things for herself. Possessing an instinct to protect the well-being of both domestic and wild animals, Marie was definitely an animal lover. At different points in her life, she had dogs, cats, horses, sheep, and goats. Marie had a strong love of all living creatures. Marie and Jim enjoyed traveling in their fifth wheeler, going to Alaska several times with groups of friends and spending a few months in Arizona for a number of winters. They traveled to the east coast of the United States and also to Hawaii. Marie and Jim also ventured into both Canada and Mexico. A natural athlete with quickness, coordination, and strength, Marie excelled in golfing. She’s the only person most of her family knew to hit “a hole in one.” She could outrun some of her children at 80 years old. Her loving husband, Jim, survives Marie. She was cherished by all of her children, six of whom also survive her: Francine Riechers, Dennis Bonn, Kathleen Bonn, Craig Bonn, Caroline Schnitzer, and Eric Bonn. Her dear firstborn son, Mike Bonn, preceded Marie in death. She has 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren of whom she took great delight in. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Gresham Senior Citizen Center, 600 NE 8th Street #130, Gresham, Oregon, on Friday, October 25, from 2-4. In lieu of flowers, Marie’s family kindly requests a donation to Meals on Wheels at the Gresham Senior Center.