Joanie, age 69, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on April 14, 2022 with her daughters Amanda Burns (John) and Jill Bonnin at her side after a very brief diagnoses of cancer.
Joanie was born to Mae and Gerald Smith in 1952, she was the 3rd oldest child of 7 brothers and sisters: Sharon Lysyj (Roman), Michael Smith, Jennifer Fleming (Ken), Valerie Stewart (Brian), predeceased by her baby brothers Gerald Smith (Tammy), and Rolly Smith (Noranda).
In 1966, Joanie met her husband Guy Bonnin and married in 1972, she had 2 children and 5 grandchildren Raija, Kali, Ché, Reece, and Silas. She was honorary grandmother to Austin, Marcel, Janelle, Pierre, Benoit, and Nicholaus Jr (Juju) as well as many nieces and nephews.
In 2014, Joanie retired and spent her time studying Yahweh’s word, knitting, camping, playing cards and visiting with friends and family.
She was known for her strength, no-nonsense approach to everything in life. Many came to her for wisdom, guidance and assuring words because she had an amazing gift to make sense of difficult situations.
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family.
Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St James Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).
Joanie’s brethren played her favourite praise song “To Be Lifted Up” and wrote these kind words for her “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our dear sister Joanie Bonnin. Sister Joanie was a tremendous inspiration to all brethren who knew her. Her deep love for Yahweh’s Way of life and His people was a source of strength for many who knew her. We all rejoice in the comfort of knowing that her race has been won, (2 Timothy 4:7), and we look forward to greeting her at Yahshua’s return. One of sister Joanie’s favorite passages of Scripture was in Numbers 6: 23-27, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is how you bless the children of Israel. Say to them:"Yahweh bless you and guard you; Yahweh make His face shine upon you, and show favor to you; Yahweh lift up His face upon you, and give you peace. Thus they shall put My Name on the children of Yisra’el, and I Myself shall bless them.” Shalom.”