Bonnie Jean Goodbody

Bonnie Jean Goodbody of San Diego, California passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, May 9, 2019. She was 93 years young and lived a fulfilled and rewarding life up until she left for Heaven to be with our Lord, and join her beloved husband of 49 years, Bernard Goodbody (1924-1997) and other dear ones who had predeceased her.

Services and viewing information:

Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115 619-582-1700

Viewing on Wednesday, May 29th from 4-8. Bonnie had not requested a Rosary, so this time is for visiting.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 3585 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

Viewing on Thursday, May 30th from 9-10am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am.

A light lunch will be served in St. Patrick’s hall from 11-2pm. A time to share comfort, to reminisce, to laugh and to cry.

Private Graveside services for family will be held at Holy Cross Catholic cemetery where Bonnie will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Bernie, and her son, David Eugene Goodbody (Jan 14, 1991).

Special Wishes: Prayers are welcome. There was no official request from Bonnie for donations to a special cause or fund. Our family encourages all to donate in some way to a cause dear to their heart or a person in need - in memory of Bonnie, who gave so much to so many people over the years.

Bonnie was born in San Diego, California on January 18, 1926, the only child of Nathaniel Conkling Clayton and Calelle Ethel Curtis Clayton. She grew up in North Park in a tiny home on Meade Avenue, helping her grandpa raise rabbits in the backyard and occasionally pushing a baby stroller with one of the bunnies to school for show and tell with her friends at elementary school. She went on to Wilson Junior High, and finally Hoover High School and there she developed artistic skills including portraits, self-portraits, and crafts & sewing. She was active in many school activities and social clubs, notably the Gad-A-Debs in high school, making friends who would become sorority sisters, bridesmaids and dear lifelong companions.

She went on to attend San Diego State College where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences. She also met a young man named Bernard Joseph Goodbody and they fell in love. They married on February 23, 1948, she 22 and he 23 years old, planning to build their lives around a large family they hoped to raise together. Bonnie would later marvel to friends - and anyone who would listen - how amazing it was to her, brought up as an only child, to raise 9 children - 6 girls and 3 boys - in their home in North Park on Granada Avenue.

Over the next many years, Bonnie would dedicate herself to her family, cooking, shopping, mending scrapes and bruises and a myriad of other activities. She also infused her creativity into her home, with numerous stitchery sayings framed to be found in nearly every room, and beautiful clothes she would create for herself and the family, a garden of flowers, fruit trees and vegetables in the side yard. Every few years as a new baby would arrive, she would paint at least one room in a new color, and would ask her husband to wallpaper some part of the home.

Bonnie tried her best to raise her children to be decent and kind, respectful of others, and encouraged them to become creative as well as self-sufficient. She was active in St. Patrick's School mothers club, and the many activities involved in the small community of neighbors & families raising children alongside her. She was happy to maintain her many friendships from younger years with visits, dinners, outings and reunions.

As the family grew, Bonnie grew in many ways as well. Even though she sacrificed much of her own self to her family, she also blossomed spiritually and personally.

She would later describe the journey of the faith she nurtured, as she tried to raise her family. As a young girl Bonnie belonged to no church, but was raised on the "golden rule". Occasionally she would attend church with a friend, and during her teens became a member of Job's Daughters, based on the book of Job. Marrying a Catholic man and bringing up children in a Catholic school, she became drawn to what was beginning to become very important to her, a sense of faith that was growing. She was baptized Catholic before the birth of her 7th child, and participated in Cursillo, Marriage Encounters and Bible Study Fellowship among others.

Over the years, Bonnie was able to take a few trips with Bernie including a special trip to Israel. She lost her mother Calelle and her son, David, while Bernie was still at her side. She lost dear Bernie in 1997, keeping true to her marriage vows to the end of her life, and hoping to meet him again in heaven. She later lost her sweet grand-daughter Vanessa, daughter of her fifth child, Teresa. At that time, she admonished all of her family that no-one else was to die, that she would be the next one. Her children had families of their own, and she became Gramma, then Great Gramma, and finally Great-Great Gramma! She did her best to nourish this large clan, and also keep her connections to her many friends of so many years.

At the time of Bonnie's passing, she had lived a full 93 years, remaining vigorous, alert, creative and kind, to the end. She is survived by 8 of her children, 27 grand-children, 25 great grand-children, and 2 great-great grand-children, one cousin, and many friends & neighbors who will dearly miss her.