Florence Suy

FLORENCE BONNER passed with peace and grace on March 3, 2018, with her family at her side in Santa Rosa, California. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Horace “Ted” of Petaluma, California; daughter Bernadette Bonner (Mike) Axelrod of Waianae, Hawaii; son Timothy Owen Bonner (Jean Brennan) of Petaluma, California; her sister Cecilia (Thurgood) Marshall of Falls Church, Virginia; grandchildren: Ella Nicole and Melissa Genette Axelrod, and Teo Brennan Bonner; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was predeceased by her loving sisters Esperanza, Rosaline (Sally), Adeline (Nena); and brothers Dominador (Donald), Albert (Sonny), and Claudio.

Florence was born in the plantation town of Puunene, Maui, attended Farrington High School on Oahu and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She loved her profession as a teacher: she taught at Mokulele Elementary School on Hickam and at Barbers Point Elementary School out “in the country”, as it was referred to back then. Florence continued to share lessons to the delight of her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and countless other children who were lucky to learn from her.

After marrying Horace, she threw her energies into being a supportive Navy spouse. She raised their children--often alone when Horace was overseas--and made the frequent military moves an adventure for them. Florence and Horace began married life in Honolulu; drove across the entire mainland to reside in Groton, Connecticut; traveled back to California and enjoyed several years in San Diego; flew in a military transport plane to live on Guam; and then returned to California living one year in Vallejo and another in Novato.

When Horace retired from military service after 20 years, he fulfilled his promise to bring Florence back to Hawaii. They lived in Wahiawa for nearly 20 years right across the street from her brother, Donald. During that time Florence put her teaching skills to work again at Helemano Plantation and was also a volunteer at her church. In 1995, she moved with Horace to Ma’ili living next door to their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters for over 20 years. Last year, Florence and Horace moved to California allowing them to spend time with their son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

Throughout her life Florence took note of what made others around her happy. She loved searching for the perfect greeting card and would purchase them months in advance if she found one that particularly suited someone.  She seemed to remember everyone’s birthday, favorite animals, foods, and colors. Anyone who knew Florence knew her favorite color was purple. She wore items of clothing in a shade of this color nearly every day. For a few years she even sported purple eyeglasses.

Florence was an enthusiastic tour guide to family and friends visiting Hawaii.  She welcomed countless people arriving on Oahu over the years with a lei and her big, bright smile. And, although she never learned to drive, she could navigate to just about anywhere on Oahu. Whether she was riding shotgun, giving directions as a backseat driver, or using her bus pass, Florence knew how to get where she wanted to go.

The family wishes to thank Kim and the numerous kind staff at the Santa Rosa Convalescent Hospital for their excellent care of Florence. The doctors and nurses at Kaiser Santa Rosa Hospital were thoughtful of every detail during Florence’s last days providing comfort for her and the entire family for which they are forever grateful.

Florence will be missed by many and remembered fondly for the myriad roles she filled in the lives of people around her. Florence was a devoted daughter and sister, a loving wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother. She was a big, bright flower in a garden of relatives all over the globe. She leaves us all rich in memories and inspired to think of others first as she did all of her life.

A memorial service will be held in California at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary, 850 Keokuk Street in Petaluma, on March 24 at 10:30 am.

A Hawaii memorial service will be held at the Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary at 1150 Kikowaena Street, in Honolulu, on April 7 at 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making an online donation to the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum in Puunene. www.sugarmuseum.com  Be sure to indicate Florence Bonner in the donation notes. All funds donated to the museum in her honor will be used for educational programs.

Memorial Service

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Saturday, March 24, 2018 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM 850 Keokuk Street Petaluma, California 94952 Directions Memorial Service

Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary

Saturday, April 07, 2018 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 1150 Kikowaena Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 Directions