Bonnie M Barnes

Bonnie Barnes died peacefully in Oakwood, Ohio, with her children by her side, on April 7, 2018. Born in 1933 to Frances and Wilbur MacKay in Wyoming, Ohio, Bonnie moved with her family to Oakwood when she was in high school. Bonnie and younger brother Barry MacKay, now also deceased, were best of friends and talented tennis players. Over the years, sports provided many great adventures and an abundance of friendships for both of them.

A lover of all sports, Bonnie played and watched them with great passion, and they ultimately played a defining role in her character. She loved and valued the small communities where she resided and nurtured life-long friendships with friends of every background and interest. She welcomed everyone with open arms and a genuine curiosity about their interests and pursuits and will be remembered for her unfailing thoughtfulness and kindness to whomever crossed her path.

Bonnie was generous with her time and attention and she made every one of her friends feel unique and special. She was very passionate about the value of Hospice care and volunteered her time to that cause. Bonnie had a knack for writing poetry upon special occasions, mostly light-hearted but compellingly honest. Bonnie also could be quite a prankster, and through many creative antics, brought bouts of laughter to those who needed it most.

Bonnie attended both Ohio State University and Ohio University and graduated with a teaching degree from the latter in 1956. Her teaching career was quickly terminated when she married Jack Barnes, a surgeon in Middletown, Ohio. There, they raised five children. Once her children were grown, Bonnie moved to Frankfort, Michigan where she resided until her death.

Bonnie is survived by four of her children, Ann Kinney, Sarah Blaikie, Amy MacKay, and Jim Barnes. Bonnie is also survived by eleven beautiful grandchildren: Sarah, Meghan, Jim, Erich, Emily, Cora, Bailey, Noah, Sam, Will, and Gabe. Bonnie had a wonderful relationship with each and every one of them.

Together with her family, Bonnie created a fund in memory of her youngest son, John, who died in 1993. The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation promotes environmental education to children in Benzie County through innovative programs that bring awareness about the importance of protecting the woods, water, and sand dunes that are so integral to northern Michigan’s landscape.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bonnie’s memory can be made to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, with the “John Barnes Fund” in the memo section. That address is: GTRCF, 250 E. Front Street, Suite 310, Traverse City, MI 49684.

There will be a memorial service for family and friends this summer on July 30 in Frankfort, Michigan.