Bonnie Margaret Barned
Bonnie Margaret Barned (“Bon”)
Bonnie Margaret Barned (“Bon”), passed away peacefully with her family at her side in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 3, 2026, at the age of 84.
Bonnie was born on June 23, 1942, in Kingston, Ontario, and spent her childhood in Gananoque and Petawawa, where she was once crowned “High School Football Queen”. In 1967, she moved to Edmonton with her husband, Fred, following his service with the RCMP. Together they built a life rooted in family, community, and lifelong friendships.
Bonnie was predeceased by her husband, Fred (1933–2018).
She leaves behind her loving daughter, Jody; her stepchildren, Teresa (Ken) Boyda, Fred, Sandra, and Dan; her cherished grandchildren, Victoria and Justin; and her sisters, Nan, Heather, and Judy, along with many dear friends & loved ones who will miss her greatly.
Bonnie embraced life with energy and generosity. Early on, she was an active member of the Glenora Community League, and she devoted many years to the Unitarian Church of Edmonton as a member, volunteer & administrator.
A gifted gourmet cook, she turned her passion into a successful business, owning and operating “Two Good Friends Catering” in the 1980s, and then onto a career in medical administration, where many of her coworkers also became longtime friends.
Her inviting home & beautiful gardens reflected the care she put into everything she loved. In 2010, her efforts were recognized with a well deserved Backyards in Bloom award. Bonnie also had a special place in her heart for animals—especially cats, often naming her feline friends “Sweetie.”
Bonnie was the first to say, “I’m not a crier,” but those who knew her best understood that beneath her practical “no nonsense” nature was one of the warmest, kindest, and most generous hearts imaginable. She possessed remarkable inner strength and wisdom, quiet resilience, and an unwavering willingness to help others. Her love was shown through thoughtful acts of kindness, delicious meals shared around the table, beautiful gardens, and the comfort she offered to both people and animals alike.
Bonnie’s legacy is one of compassion, service, resilience, and unconditional love. She will be remembered always for her warmth, her strength, and the countless lives she touched. She is already deeply missed.
No Celebration of Life is planned. We are forever grateful that in her last days, we were all able to celebrate her life with her, as much as for her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Edmonton SPCA or animal rescue shelter of choice.
💕My Dearest Bon💞
There are sooo many people who loved you and are going to miss you.😞
But it is not good-bye, but until we meet again!🫂
We’ll catch you on the other side! 😉🫂💕
love lorraine oz
To all that knew Bonnie, and to the whole world that received her ripples of solid love,
And to daughter Jody; stepchildren, Teresa (Ken) Boyda, Fred, Sandra, and Dan; grandchildren, Victoria and Justin; and sisters, Nan, Heather, and Judy
Bonnie cultivated a garden of people. She didn’t see any of us as weeds. She watered each, sang to each, and only if need be kindly help a few get in place.
Bonnie had big quiet solid love for this world and it made a huge difference. Thank you Bonnie. May we all carry more of your good work forward.
Bonnie and I worked together and then remained friends in the years after we both retired. She was a pleasure to work with, meeting clients with a big smile and a friendly hello. I am so glad I stopped in to see her the last time I was in Edmonton, we had a good visit, reminising about the past and people we had in common. I will miss those in person visits and our phone calls. My trips to Edmonton won’t be the same. Miss you already Bonnie.
I had the good fortune to be Fred and Bon’s neighbour for many years. Our neighbourly camaraderie grew into a cherished friendship and most often weekly visits with wonderful chats and lots of laughter. I shall miss your friendship and mentorship Bon.
Love and hugs to all of you!
Laurel Udell
To all of Bonnie’s family, thankyou for sharing her with us. She was the first person I met at my current workplace nearly 31 years ago. Bonnie was a natural and caring co-worker who made the days so much easier. She was gracious, savvy, and very brave in so many ways. Her stories at work brought you, her family, to memorable life moments in my day. Bonnie taught without preaching. If you learned a lesson the hard way, she didn’t judge. We shared hilarious times, learned she could drive with a bee in the leg of her pants and was unable to know that the lovely green outfit she wore at Christmas was truly not tan in color. Her desserts were epic. She taught me, with my Scottish history, how best to cook Haggis.
Her charm, her presence, and her warmth will be dearly missed. Be well everyone.
I knew Bonnie for more than thirty years, first through work and later through the events and meals she shared with my family and colleagues. After her retirement, our visits became less frequent, and over time we lost touch. I was delighted to reconnect with her at Linda’s funeral.
In the time that followed, Bonnie joined Teresa and me for a few meals, but we stayed in touch mainly through emails and photographs. She remained, as she had always been, thoughtful, considerate, and warmly interested in the lives of others. She often told me how much she enjoyed the photographs of my family, especially those of my new grandson.
Her final message to me was a kind wish for a happy Father’s Day in 2026. It was a small gesture that captured her generous spirit.
Bonnie, thank you for your friendship. I am a better person for having known you, and I will remember you with affection and gratitude.
I’m so pleased that Bonnie and I reconnected a few years ago and will treasure the memories of our friendship. I will miss our lunch and coffee dates, reminiscing about the past and caching up on each other’s lives but most of all I will miss you, Bonnie.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to all of her family
Bonnie was such a lovely lady. She took me under her wing when I worked at Gross Rehab all those years ago. She called me dear and always had a smile and word of encouragement just when I needed one. What a lovely lady she was and I remember her with fondness.
Dear Bonnie taught me how to make coffee in a drip machine and I recite her recipe, as straight forward as it was, quite regularly with a smile in the mornings while making coffee. One scoop, two cups.
What a legacy to leave, when the people who have known you, remember you with warmth and smile.
Sending hugs and comfort to her family and all her friends that will be missing her presence.
Thank you Bonnie for being a perfect you.