Bonnie Heipt Gause

My beloved mother Bonnie Heipt Gause passed away on Tuesday March 5th. She was born in the small town of New London, Connecticut. While still a young child she moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she raised (as is survived by) her two children, Brad and Kim. More than 30 years ago she and her husband moved to the up-and-coming city of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL where they settled until their passing. She started her working career volunteering at the elementary school her two children attended. She enjoyed it so much that soon after they hired her, which began a long career of contributing to the development of so many children in the North Florida area. After retirement she continued that volunteering spirit by driving cancer patients to their treatments and read to elementary students always giving to the development of our youth.

There are numerous character-defining words that her close friends and family have shared with me since her passing. Beautiful, classy, fun, strong, generous and most interestingly stubborn. I sometimes think that stubbornness is not always a good quality; however, a dear friend reminded me it’s all how you look at it.

Bonnie was stubbornly steadfast with her faith, she was stubbornly devoted to her husband and his endeavors, stubbornly dedicated to her career and above all stubbornly loving to her friends and family which she would flip over backwards to help if she was able. She was also stubborn about how she appeared outwardly to others. Always wanting to look her very best, she even insisted on looking fabulous and classy (make-up and all) for her final trip to the hospital. Stubborn, yes, but she did look great walking in. I definitely have changed the way I view that word as this all sounds wonderful.

Her passing was quite a shock to her friends and family. She was so strong to the very end. I believe that she just missed her husband so much, she just didn’t want to wait any longer. Lastly, I can think of no better way to end this remembrance of my mother than with a toast as my mother loved a good party. I’ll grab a glass, fill it with my favorite beverage again, “To you Mom, I’m so sorry your final years were hard, may you be free from pain, may you run laps around your heavenly abode, may you rest peacefully now. You were my Mom, and I will miss you dearly.” Please say hi to Dad and be looking for us as we will inevitably be there soon. Love, Son.