- May 1, 2024
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Pauline “Betty” Elizabeth (née Chavannes) Bonnick
Our beloved Pauline “Betty” Elizabeth Chavannes Bonnick passed away July 31, 2023, at the age of 82 due to complications related to multiple myeloma. Born in Kingston, Jamaica to Zillah Louise (née Lawton) and Paul Alexander Chavannes, she was the eldest of seven children. She attended Immaculate Conception High School where she excelled in her studies and sport. She was recognized for her leadership by being named prefect, May Queen and captain of the Jamaica women’s netball team before going on to earn her Bachelor of the Arts in English, Spanish, and History, and certificate in Education at the University of the West Indies. She returned to Immaculate as a teacher before travelling abroad to teach in England and France in addition to working as a translator. Betty returned to teaching in Jamaica and married Gladstone Bonnick whose career relocated the couple to Washington, D.C. then later to Antigua. Betty again returned to Jamaica and carried on teaching through corporate training at the National Commercial Bank where she concurrently completed her Master of Arts in Psychology and Human Resource Development from the University of Cincinnati before becoming an administrator at the University of Technology where she restructured coursework to incorporate student-centered design.
Betty, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, had a true devotion to God and a zest for life that cast a warm light over those who knew her. She was active with church and community groups in pursuit of promoting understanding and advancement of social and Christian issues. Betty loved to entertain and loved dancing even more. She traveled extensively and was a favorite visitor among nieces and nephews who wanted to hear and see what she had done, where she had been, and more importantly what sweets she had brought.
She is survived by her son, Bruce Bonnick, his wife of 14 years, Elsey Bonnick and their son Duncan; step-daughters, Blanche Bonnick and her children C. J. and Camille; Caroline Wellington and her daughter Sydney; brothers, V. John Chavannes (wife, Regina); Philip Chavannes (wife, Louise); M. Louis Chavannes (wife, Margaret),; and countless nieces and nephews.
She is pre-deceased by her parents Paul & Zillah Chavannes, sister, Molly Chavannes; brothers Paul Alexander Chavannes, Jr.; Peter Addis Chavannes.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, on Saturday August 19th, 2023 at 1pm.
