Catherine "Kay" Bonham

Catherine (Kay) Bonham went Home on Saturday, February 7, 2015 and there was a big celebration to welcome her. The last couple of years were very rough for Mama-before coming to Helena to live with us, she had been so independent and loved her life in Anaconda with her many friends and volunteer activities. By the end she was confined to a wheel chair and could do almost nothing for herself. She maintained her positive outlook on life and was always grateful for everything anyone did for her. Though she was a little bossy and controlling . . . I told her that I imagined her last words would be a command. I'm sorry I wasn't there to hear it, as she went as she prayed she would, quickly and easily. Catherine, as she was known in Hawaii, was born in 1920 and grew up out in the country near Makawao, Maui, with her parents in the midst of a large family of siblings and adopted cousins. In 1941, she met Carl who was stationed at Hickam Field on Oahu, but was on leave visiting her and her family on Maui on December 7th, when Pearl Harbor was bombed. They married in June of 1942 and a year later had their first child, Doreen. After the war, Catherine followed Carl back to Montana, because he loved the variety of seasons where he had grown up and she loved him. Doreen tragically drowned in Missoula in June of 1945. A second daughter, Carleen, was born in Missoula in 1948. Eventually Carl went back to work at the smelter in Anaconda and they made their home there, having another child, Candace, in 1955. She became known to one and all in Montana as Kay. Besides her own, she cleaned five homes weekly. After retiring from "paid work", as she called it, she held numerous volunteer jobs, which included Pintler Hospice, Holy Family Catholic Community and Life in the Spirit Prayer Group. Kay was generous with her time and service, devout in her faith and loved by all who knew her. She remained a powerful prayer warrior to the very end, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet on her rosary, every day for her family and for anyone she heard about who needed prayer. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Virginia Rodrigues, and siblings, Edwin, Jimmy, Minnie, Elizabeth, and Edith, her husband Carl and daughter Doreen, and many friends who are celebrating with her today. She leaves behind her sister, Clara, her children, Carleen (Richard) and Candace/Cameron, her grandchildren, Joe and Cherelyn and her great-grandchildren, Jordan, Mace, and Zander, missing her terribly but blessed to have had her in our lives and grateful to know she is no longer in pain. I can see her dancing from here, in the arms of her beloved husband-even though he didn't dance back then, I bet he is now. We love you, Mama. A memorial celebrating her life will be held at the Anaconda Catholic Community at 217 W. Pennsylvania Avenue in Anaconda, Montana on Friday, February 13th at 10:30 am followed by a lunch reception.

Mass of Christian Burial

FEB 13. 10:30 AM (MST)

Holy Family Catholic Church 217 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Anacoonda, MT 59711