Longtime Morgan Hill resident Bonnie Simonsen, passed away April 12, 2010, after a short illness.
A graduate of Live Oak High School, Bonnie trained as a teacher at San Jose State University. She credits her parents, Ed and Meta Johnson, with instilling in her a commitment to work for the community. She was active in Children’s Home Society, the American Cancer Society, spent 18 years both as a founding member and trustee of Gavilan College, and was a founding board member of South Valley Intercommunity Hospital. Bonnie was honored as Morgan Hill Citizen of the Year in 1981.
Bonnie’s hobbies included travel, baseball, bridge, needlepoint, and reading. She enjoyed going to the theater, the company of good friends, and being well dressed. She was very fond of both the desert and the sea.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of fifty-one magnificent years, Harry Simonsen, her brother Ed Johnson, Jr. and six children: Jean Alkire, Wade Simonsen, Laurie Perez, Chris Simonsen, Eric Simonsen, and Sean Simonsen, their spouses, plus numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Bonnie requests donations be made to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church Building Fund, St. Louise Hospital Auxiliary, or the Gavilan College Educational Foundation.
A celebration of her life, with reception afterward, will be held at St. John the Divine, Episcopal Church, 17740 Peak Ave. Morgan Hill at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 17, 2010.
Bonnie was much loved and respected. We will all miss her very much.