Obituary of Bonnie Jean Potvin (nee Fetterly)

It is with great sadness that the family of Bonnie Jean Fetterly Potvin announces her passing on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Bonnie was a proud woman with intelligence beyond measure. She was raised in a loving home by Charles and Mona (Hartley) and often spoke with fondness about her upbringing in Prescott, Ontario. Her Captain father and homemaker mother provided a life rich with memories for Kay (John Stewart), Bonnie and Bill (Christine). One of Bonnie’s great claims to fame was that she had two library cards for the Prescott library so that she could sign out double the books and, at one point, she had read every book in the library. Her passion for reading continued throughout her life. Bonnie was a Civic Hospital nurse and rose quickly to become a teacher in the nursing program. She often shared memories of hanging out with ‘the girls’ in the dorms on the Civic campus. She attended many nursing reunions and would always return with a story or two. She remained in touch with several nursing girls and cherished those relationships. It was during her nursing days that she met and married the love of her life, a charming young doctor, Earle Potvin from Timmins, Ontario. Bonnie and Earle raised their four sons, William (Anna), Derek (Shelley), James (Sherri) and Jason (Julie), in an idyllic setting in Shawville, Quebec in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Bonnie’s greatest pride at this time in her life was being able to provide a loving, warm home to the boys as they grew up to become men. It was a busy home and Bonnie ran it with care and a dose of good humor. She also supported a cottage on Green Lake so that the boys and Earle could have a summer escape during Earle’s busy career. Bonnie and Earle made many, many friends from their early days in Shawville. People enjoyed socializing with Bonnie. With a quick wit and an ability to spin a tale she was often at the heart of many gatherings. She made deep and lasting friendships with several women in town. They will miss her company and her ability to laugh at a good joke or story. Bonnie was a diligent Lionette and a faithful member of St. Edward’s Parish in Bristol, Quebec, where she often did the reading for Sunday morning mass. Bonnie’s greatest source of pride and enjoyment was that of her family. Bonnie was proud to be Earle’s wife, even prouder to be the mother of four sons, and fiercely proud of her ten grandchildren Katie, Keith (Jenni), Nicholas, Luke, David, Ted, Jennie, Amanda, Mackenzie and Benjamin. And because she always had room in her heart for more, she found time to become a second mother to Sheron Langford Costas (Stormy) and to develop loving relationships with nieces and nephews. Her niece Candy was often by Aunt Bonnie’s side. Bonnie went to great efforts to create an atmosphere of good fun for every family gathering. Fall and Christmas were her favorite times of the year. She would plan her menus for those occasions with great care and would often include ingredients from Earle’s garden. She would decorate her home in Shawville or the farm in Clarendon to enhance the experience. The boys and their families spent planned holidays and many unplanned weekends at Bonnie and Earle’s home, always being greeted in the same way, with a meaningful embrace, a good joke and a warm meal. Bonnie always had something on the stove and its aroma always filled the house. Bonnie and Earle were able to spend 54 wonderful years together as husband and wife. Earle will cherish many of those memories in the coming days. Bonnie’s sons will miss their mother’s presence and her steadfast commitment to their lives. Sheron and Bonnie’s daughters-in-law will miss being treated like daughters and Bonnie’s grandchildren have much work to do for their youngest cousin Benjamin in keeping Gma’s spirit alive. But they are in luck because there are many stories to tell! Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18, 2017 in St. Edward the Confessor Church, 34 Aylmer Rd, Bristol, Quebec at 11 a.m. Reception to follow at the Jack Graham Community Centre, Bristol, Quebec. Donations to the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Following the Mass at St. Edwards Church, friends are invited to a reception at Jack Graham Community Centre, next to the Church on Aylmer Road from 12 to 2 p.m. No receiving line will take place at the Hall. The family requests that lunch be enjoyed immediately upon entering the hall. There will be a slide show of family pictures on display as well as members of the family speaking about Bonnie's life. A time for visiting with the family will follow the presentations.