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CHRISTINE MARY BONNETT (SLESSOR)
Date of Passing: Jun 30, 2019
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
CHRISTINE MARY BONNETT
Christine, who was the apple of her father's eye, is survived by her loving husband Barry, brothers, Norman (Sharon), Jack (Sabrina), and Scott (Donica), her sister-in-law Jennifer, her in-laws, Normalyn and Robert, her brother-in-law Darrin, her nieces, Danna (Chris), Ayla (Jared), Chloe, Alicia and Sophie, and nephews, Danny Jr. (Kelly) and Gordon. She was predeceased by her brother Danny, parents, Margaret and George and puppies, Merlin and Gozer.
Christine was born in Winnipeg and graduated from Transcona Collegiate in 1985. She and Barry married on her birthday, May 9 in 1992 and lived in Transcona the majority of their time together. Christine worked in various businesses in Winnipeg but it was always the people she worked with who mattered the most, many of whom became lifelong friends. Christine returned to scholastics in 2004, certified with Honours in Applied Counselling at Red River College. She was also later certified to solemnize marriages in Manitoba and was honoured to preside over several loving events. Christine spent 30 years wrestling with illnesses too numerous to list. She was energized in her approach to life and exhibited a well of strength and tenacity that marveled those around her. Christine turned her health predicament into teaching opportunities working with an array of medical students to ensure they were better prepared to provide appropriate care to patients with chronic illnesses, particularly visually impaired (she would say 'blind') and physically impaired patients. Christine loved the theater and continued to act long after her illnesses gained increasing control of her life. She read voraciously and authored a book on living with chronic illness called "The Patient Patient", in 2013. Christine was a dedicated fundraiser for the United Way and CNIB, a Toast Master, and a Rotarian. She was an active member of the community, and sat on several medical committees in an effort to improve the level of care delivered to residents of Winnipeg. In short (and yes, she was short) she lived big and was an inspiration to many!
Christine was an expert at bringing people together and will do so again at an event to celebrate her life at Oxford Heights Community Centre, 359 Dowling East, Transcona, on Saturday, July 6 at 1:00 p.m. Dress code: casual, no suits, no ties.
In lieu of flowers, please do an act of kindness for someone else and let us know about it on the Facebook page of Christine Slessor Bonnett - you can also leave your condolence at this site.
The family would like to thank her home care workers who often went above and beyond for Christine, and the staff at the Health Sciences Centre for their compassion and assistance.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 03, 2019
Condolences & Memories (18 entries)
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Chris was and always will be one of my best friends. I think of her and miss her every day. I love Chris. - Posted by: Bob (Best friend) on: Jul 04, 2021
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Christine brought so much joy and insight into everyone's lives. Despite all of her challenges she always shone and will continue to shine. She will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Susan (Friend) on: Jul 23, 2019
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Normalyn & family, saddened to hear of Christine’s passing. What an amazing woman she was. Her tributes speak volumes & you will miss her tremendously. Sending you a warm gentle hug & lols of love. Dill - Posted by: Kathy Warrington (Friend) on: Jul 21, 2019
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I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences. - Posted by: Jerry Lum (Friend) on: Jul 10, 2019
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I’d like to express my deepest condolences to the family. Chris was a wonderful person and I was fortunate to have known her. - Posted by: Simon Constan (Friend) on: Jul 09, 2019
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It was an honour and a pleasure to meet Christine in the context of her role as a teacher of medical students. As the moderator of these sessions, I was privileged to listen as Christine offered the students the opportunity to learn about the life of a patient living with complex health challenges. Beyond her warmth and humour, she spoke clearly and forcefully about her experiences with many health care professionals she encountered along the way. While critical of those whose clinical approach failed to respect her humanity and her feelings, she was equally clear about her positive experiences with health care professionals and systems. Although her death is a loss, her life was a gift for which all of us who learned from her and were inspired by her. - Posted by: Dr. Michael Eleff (Colleague in teaching medical students) on: Jul 09, 2019
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Many of my childhood memories have Christine in them. She was always cheerful and made me laugh. To know that Christine remained true to the character I knew in our younger years, makes me very proud to have had her in my life. A true inspiration and a soul that has touched my soul. In loving memory and until we meet again. - Posted by: Sharon Vickner (ol' friend) on: Jul 07, 2019
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Chris is a friend that everyone should have in their lives, she was straight forward and had your back no matter what. If you needed to talk she would listen and if you were being stupid she would tell you in her own straight forward way. She was the type of person who didn’t deserve all the adversity that was thrown at her but she took everything head on and never backed down. Chris was loved by everyone she touched, she just had that personality. I have lost many people in my life but Chris was one that has hit me very deeply but I’m a better person for knowing her. - Posted by: Raymond and Tracey Ozuk (Friends) on: Jul 07, 2019
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We send Barry our condolences. Chris was such a friendly, funny girl with a great sense of humour. We are happy to have known her. - Posted by: Donna and Pat Morin (Friend of Normalyn ) on: Jul 05, 2019
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I was brought to tears by this incredible life story of Christine. Her loss to you Normalyn, Robert and Barry is unmeasureable - as well as to all family and friends. I have not met her but never have I read about such struggle and success, endurance and courage, compassion and love - what a legacy. She has inspired me to be strong - regardless! Condolences to all. Sheilah Bissett Class66 - Posted by: Sheilah Adelle BISSETT (Nursing classmate with mother in law Normalyn Bonnet) on: Jul 04, 2019
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Christine was so funny. Her antics with Jack were theatrical and together they were a dynamic dual. I remember her as being kind, approachable and engaging. To Jack and Sabrina, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you during this difficult time. She loved you Jack. - Posted by: Cindy Maines (Jack’s friend) on: Jul 03, 2019
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I had the honour of getting to know Christine when I worked for her family physician at St. Boniface Clinic in the early 2000s. Her humour and candid approach to life was so very refreshing and every time I pulled her chart, I would smile knowing I would have a chance to visit and share some friendly banter. Christine was an inspiration to me and we often shared warm stories. I am so very sorry for you loss and the huge hole Christine’s passing is sure to have left in your world. Sadly I will not be able to attend Christine’s Celebration of Life as I am out of town. I will be certain to fulfill her wish of simply practicing random acts of kindness at every opportunity. Namaste - Posted by: Judi McFarland (Acquaintance ) on: Jul 03, 2019
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I met Christine at CNIB. She was a wonderful person and always wanted to help anyone. She worked with me when I was taking care of our car raffle. She was a great volunteer and brought her family to many of our events to help raise money! My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Christine will be missed! - Posted by: Liz Cox (Friend from CNIB ) on: Jul 03, 2019
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So sorry for your loss Sabrina, Jack and family. - Posted by: Glenda Lepischak (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2019
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So sorry to hear of the passing of Christine. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. - Posted by: Sheila Webb (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2019
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AC-done. :) - Posted by: Sonja Walsh (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2019
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What a beautiful story of Christine’s life. She was loved by her family and accomplished so much. She seemed to truly be a fighter in so many ways. She definitely had the Slessor spirit. - Posted by: Susan and Rick Quinn (Extended family friends) on: Jul 03, 2019
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She is joined in the arms of family and loving friends. Chrissy brought tears of joy and laughter to Diane with every conversation they had. Her strength and courage was an inspiration to all that knew her, a believer in that silver lining, she was truly the “patient patient”. - Posted by: Kirby (Family/Friend) on: Jul 03, 2019