Bonnie Jean Gilchrist-Brasseur's Obituary
Bonnie Jean Gilchrist-Brasseur
09-26-1945 to 07-26-2024
Bonnie was born to Helen Marvin Gilchrist and Howard Gilchrist in Akron, OH. Her birthdate arrived on the day before her father was discharged from the United States Air Force after World War II. She has one older sibling, Mary Bowron, who lives in Fountain Valley, California. Her older brother, Howard Gilchrist has been deceased since 1997.
Bonnie grew up and went to school in Des Moines, Ames and Boone, IA until her father moved the family to Rubidoux California in Riverside County. Bonnie graduated from Rubidoux High School and went to Riverside City College. There she met Joseph Brasseur, and they married in 1967 in Tijuana, Mexico. They were married for 20 years but divorced in 1988.
Bonnie originally worked as a nursing assistant in more than one nursing home at different times in her life. She later discovered her career and true calling at The Salvation Army in the 1980s as a social services secretary in Riverside, CA. Bonnie was a born-again Christian, she loved being a member of The Salvation Army. She also volunteered with The Salvation Army at Christmastime. In the early 90s she worked at a homeless shelter for The Salvation Army in Reno, NV. She later retired and moved back to California. She spent the following 30 years of her life in Sacramento, CA with her family. Her personality was bubbly and cheerful.
Bonnie is best remembered for her raising and taking care of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and baking her favorite dishes, especially during the holidays. Among some of her best recipes were her potato salad, cranberry salad, and “doctored” baked beans. She also loved animals and enjoyed the family pets, which included several dogs and cats over the years. She liked to sing in church and at home.
Bonnie is survived by two children, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a sister, three nieces and two nephews, and other relatives and friends who will all remember and miss her.
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