SHARON — Bonnie Aakjar 72, passed away peacefully at her home with her family at her side, after a hard-fought year-long battle with lung cancer.
Bonnie was born Sept. 30, 1948, in Sharon to the late Dorothy Mae Bejean Booth and the late Dellavergne Booth. She graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Class of 1966.
On June 11, 1966, at 17 years old, she married the love of her life, Raymond Aakjar. After their honeymoon in Cape Cod, Ray left for Vietnam, where he was stationed for the next 13 months. When he came home and stationed stateside in Oklahoma and Georgia, Bonnie enthusiastically joined him.
They settled back in Sharon after Ray was honorably discharged from the Army. In 1969 her son Raymond II was born, and in 1973 her son Eugene was born. She took to motherhood with the same love and enthusiasm she put into everything she did.
She went to work for Sharon Hospital in the Social Work Department, where she retired in 1992.
Never one to sit still, Bonnie worked at several different places after her retirement, all of which she loved dearly. Sharon Pharmacy, McLean Ford and Lakeville Wine and Spirits were all blessed with her bubbly personality, organizational skills and great work ethic.
One of her great loves was volunteering. Bonnie was a Cub Scout and a Girl Scout leader, volunteered at many American Legion dinners, where she prepared, cooked and served, Beer Festivals and Sharon Fire Department Soapbox Races and carnival events.
In 1999 Bonnie and her son, Raymond, volunteered at Woodstock 99. Bonnie volunteered as a Crisis Counselor for Family of Woodstock, putting her organizational skills to work the first night, creating “Bonnie Find,” which was where people who had lost their friends could check in to reconnect with their parties. By the end of the festival, there were thousands of names on the list, which Bonnie kept together very easily.
Bonnie was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother and a dear friend to so many as well as a talented artist, gardener, calligrapher and chef. She took a keen interest in genealogy, and knew both sides of her family back many generations.
An avid reader, she could be found engrossed in the latest mystery, biography or historical novel. She was a lover of all genres of music and instilled her love of music into her children. Simply put, Bonnie embraced life and life with Bonnie was an adventure. While her achievements were many, it was her kindness that will be remembered most, by the many family and friends who loved her.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Ray, of 54 years; her sons, Ray II and his wife, Marlena, and Eugene and his wife, Christine; her grandchildren, Jon and Adrienne; her cousins, Tina and Brianna; her kitten, “Boots;” a large extended family; and many dear friends.
Bonnie’s wishes were to not have a funeral, but to have a celebration of life later this summer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Legion Post 126 in Sharon. Arrangements are under the care of the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon.
