Obituary of Mildred "Lawrie" Bonney (nee Johnston), LLB

July 30, 1938 – Toronto, Ontario

January 19, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that the family of Lawrie Bonney announces her passing on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the age of 84 years. After a hard-fought battle with cancer which she faced with amazing grace and fortitude, she passed peacefully with her loving family around her.

Lawrie was born in Toronto, the only child of Andrew and Mildred Johnston. Her family moved from Toronto to Windsor, from Windsor, where she took up figure skating, to Vernon, BC and from Vernon to Vancouver. She enrolled at the University of British Columbia and graduated from UBC law school in 1962. It was at law school that she met her husband Bill whom she married in 1962 and moved from Vancouver to live with him in Calgary.

Lawrie worked for the Calgary Children's Aid Department for a number of years prosecuting in Family Court. Lawrie always felt she needed to be challenged, and after leaving Children's Aid to raise her daughters, she turned again to figure skating. Lawrie had a 25-year figure skating judging career, working her way up to the level of International Judge in both Singles and Pairs Skating. She was the Section Judges Chair for the Alberta/NWT Section for many years with just a telephone, a fax machine, and a lot of tenacity. She judged countless test days and competitions at large city clubs and in small towns. She made many friends from around the world during her travels to her numerous International Competition assignments. Figure Skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary would not have happened without the team of Joyce Hisey, Shirley Boyse and Lawrie Bonney at the helm. The enduring friendship of these women lasted well beyond the close of the Olympic Games. For Lawrie, while she loved skating, friendships were always the best part.

Lawrie's next challenge was to learn to play golf. She enjoyed 35 years of golf at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club with her many friends and while not the best lady player at the club, she did accumulate 6 holes-in-one.

Lawrie belonged to The Glencoe Club for over 50 years. She enjoyed many of the activities it provided, and the wonderful friendships she made there were an important part of her life. She served several terms on the Board of Directors and was also President of the Ladies Section at the Golf Club.

Lawrie is survived by her husband Bill and her two daughters, Alison Gregson (Darin) and Cara Bonney (Kevin Barr); and by her much adored four grandchildren, Will and Duncan Gregson, Georgia, and Quincy Barr.

We wish to acknowledge and thank all of those friends who afforded Lawrie and our family comfort, kindness and assistance during these past difficult months. We would also like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic and at the Southwood Hospice for their care and kindness, as well as Dr. Catherine Heimbach and Dr. Janet Tse at the Southport Medical Clinic for all they have done for Lawrie over many years.
 

A Celebration of Lawrie's Life will be held at The Glencoe Club, (636 - 29 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.  Dress will be casual. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Lawrie Bonney, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.