The Class of ’68 Golden High School is saddened to learn that one of our classmates, Bonnie Jean Chadwick, recently passed away. Jo Anne (Gallagher) Swanson remembered Bonnie as a special person who had a hard life but never gave up. Below is the announcement of her obituary that was published in the Whitehall Ledger.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to her family and friends.
Obituary Bonnie Jean Chadwick
The world lost a wonderful human being in the early hours of September 5, 2021, when Bonnie Jean Chadwick (71) passed away as the result of a fall, surrounded by family and friends. Bonnie was born in Akron CO on April 30, 1950, to Donnis (Lanning) and Elsworth Chadwick and attended high school in Golden, Colorado.
Bonnie’s life was filled with challenges due to an injury at age 29 that left her a paraplegic. She lived the remaining 42 years of her life in a wheelchair but never let that stop her. Bonnie insisted on doing things herself and was reluctant to accept help. Her stubborn streak is well known! Bonnie went on to raise her children, have a successful 20+ year career with the Johns Manville Corporation, and retired in Whitehall, Montana to be close to her brothers. Bonnie continued to live independently until her last days.
Bonnie spent her retirement enjoying the mountain view from her front porch, visiting with friends, supporting causes close to her heart, and working in her flower gardens; she had a very green thumb and had a clematis vine that was the envy of the neighborhood! Bonnie was also a great listener and conversationalist, and she touched the lives of many. Her passing has left many people asking “who will I talk to now?”.
Bonnie will be greatly missed by her brothers Robert (Dee) Chadwick, Roger (Judy) Chadwick, Ed Chadwick, sister Brenda, daughters Traci (Smith) Collett and Tanya (Smith) and Craig Martin; son David Julian; grandchildren Corie (Martin) and Doug Pflibsen, Clay (Jenae) Martin, Caleb Martin, Amanda (Hellwig) and Clint Scherer, Mitchell Hellwig, Talia Wesland; great grandchildren Aidan Scherer, Easton Scherer, Marley (Wesland) Sides, Lucas Pflibsen, Dallas Hellwig, Marshall Hellwig; a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and scores of friends. At Bonnie’s request, no funeral services will be held. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.
GHS 1968 