Sister Brigid Ann Bonner

Sister Brigid Ann Bonner passed away on Wednesday, July 23, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. She was 85-years-old and had been a Sister of Providence for 67 years.

Commentary

By Sister Paula Damiano, SP

Sister Brigid Bonner taught kindergarten and primary grades for nearly 20 years, so today our reading comes from the Lectionary Story Bible. This reading is based on the Gospel of St. Luke.

Sometimes when Jesus was tired, he would visit his friends Martha and Mary. One day when Martha saw Jesus walking toward her house, she could tell he was tired. “You just go and sit down and relax,” Martha said to Jesus. “I’ll cook you some really good food.” Martha thought her sister Mary would help her. Instead, Mary sat down to talk with Jesus.

It was a hot day. Martha was working very hard. She could hear Mary and Jesus talking together in the other room. “Why should I do all this work alone?” Martha thought. “Mary is just sitting around not doing anything.”

Martha was upset. She marched into the other room. “Don’t you care?” she asked Jesus. “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell Mary to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus said. “Don’t worry so much about cooking. You are a very kind person. But you need to sit down and rest a little. Come and talk with Mary and me.”

“Aren’t you hungry?” asked Martha. “Yes, I am,” said Jesus. “I’m hungry for your kind of food. I’m also hungry for another kind of food that Mary and I are sharing.”

“I don’t understand,” said Martha.

“There is another kind of food, Martha. It isn’t food you eat with your mouth. It is food that helps you grow inside.”

Martha wiped her hands and sat down beside Jesus.

“The kind of food you are making feeds us for a day,” said Jesus. “But you and I also need God’s love. It’s a kind of food that feeds us for our whole lives.”

“Now I see,” said Martha. “We need both kinds of food to be strong.”

“That’s right,” smiled Jesus. “So let’s sit and talk for a while. We’ll share one kind of food. Then, after a while, we’ll both help you prepare the other kind.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

It was on Monday, April 15, in 1940, that John Bonner and Rose Byrne Bonner welcomed their fourth child, Margaret Rose. The parents had come from Ireland to begin a new life in America. Their first son, John, was born in Ireland. A daughter, Sheila, was born after their arrival in the United States, followed by Rita, now Sister Eileen Rose, then Brigid and then the youngest, Neil, affectionately known as Corky.

Sister Eileen Rose and Neil survive and we extend our deepest sympathy to them as well as to cousins Marian and Brigid Byrne. They, along with other relatives and friends, join us today by way of livestream … Neil, from California, and cousins in Georgia.

Our sympathy extends to her band members; Sisters Gloria Memering, Donna Butler and Kay Manley, as well as to her friends. One such special friend was Sister Marge Funke, who sat at the dining table with Brigid for most meals.

The teasing that went on between the two of them would bring laughter to the entire room. And, when no one seemed able to convince Brigid to eat, Marge lovingly cajoled convincing Brigid it was just the right thing to do!

The Bonner family lived in Whiting, Indiana, where Margaret Rose attended Sacred Heart Elementary School. Her desire to become a Sister of Providence led her to the Aspirancy High School here at the Woods. She entered the Congregation in January 1958 and seven months later, received the habit as a novice and was given her religious name, Sister Brigid. No doubt her parents were pleased that she would receive the name of one of the most revered of the Saints of Ireland … Saint Brigid.

Brigid professed first vows on August 15, 1960, and final vows on the same date in 1965.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education and later received a masters in the same field from Ball State University. She earned a second masters degree from the University of Louisville in social work, along with a chaplain’s certificate.

In the Gospel reading, we once again heard the story of Martha and Mary. It seems that Sister Brigid Bonner carried within her the best of both women. Like Martha, Brigid was a doer; always there to help with a casserole for families in need; a baked dessert for a neighbor, a visit to a parishioner, a card for a sister’s birthday, a note of encouragement for whomever she knew needed a boost.

She was a loving and compassionate teacher, a caring social worker. When her sister Eileen moved to health care, Brigid would go each night to turn down Eileen’s bed. And then, she’d proceed to turn down the beds of several other residents and help with whatever they needed to make the evening more comfortable. It seems that Brigid was a social worker to the very end of her life.

While in her most recent hospital stay, only a day or so before her death on July 23, she would greet the nurses as they entered her room. And, before they could even ask her how she was feeling, she would ask them how their day was going. Did they get enough rest on their day off? Did they take a lunch break? Was the day’s patient load manageable?

And, like Martha, Brigid was persistent. I’m told she made a daily list of tasks to be accomplished and, most often, that list was completed by day’s end. Her brother Neil describes her as always upbeat, always having a smile. And then said, “In fact, she was something of a chatterbox.”

Others describe her as attentive to others and very unselfish; a good person to be around. “She had that gift — to make others just feel good.” One sister said that when Brigid walked into the phone room, the sun would shine brighter. There is no doubt that all enjoyed her spirited Irish jig of her early years.

Brigid’s ministerial life began as a teacher in schools in Illinois and Indiana. Later, as a chaplain and social worker, she ministered in Kansas, Indiana and Kentucky. “She was,” as another sister said, “professional while completely focused on people.” Her work with the homeless was legendary in the Louisville area.

Brigid embodied characteristics of Mary as well. It was Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus to be nourished and bed. The Eucharist meal was of such great importance to Brigid. Many of us recall that day after day she and her friend, Sister Marilyn Trobaugh, would walk to the church, sometimes forgetting that it was a Monday or a Saturday but would linger there nonetheless.

Brigid’s generous sharing of herself for others came from a deeply rooted reliance on God’s Providence. She trusted that God would be with her and guide her as she ministered first to children and then to adults. Prayer grounded her throughout her life. Her love for all creation, especially dogs, connected her to life in a special way.

Hobbies, such as needlepoint and quilting, provided that quiet time that is required of such skills.

Maria Price, a Providence Associate said this of Brigid: “Because Brigid was so plain-spoken and authentic, she was relatable. From the handy man to the young single mother to the gay dog-groomer to the elderly woman who led the rosary every day at church, Brigid embraced opportunities to gently love each person and honor their gifts.

“What an honor to have Brigid and Eileen as my Companions through the Providence Associate process. Another way in which I felt Brigid’s affirmation and inclusion was in her speech. She would often finish a sentence with, ‘don’t we?’, as if we both shared an experience. ‘We have known suffering, haven’t we?’ or ‘We know something about unjust systems, don’t we?’ It is such a validating way to draw someone in!

“She loved her SP community and South Louisville community. She loved their beloved dogs. She tended Earth by caring for their beautiful yard — and by living simply. She is so missed. My life is much richer because I have been loved by Brigid Bonner, SP.”

And then there was Brigid’s relationship with Sister Marilyn Trobaugh. For some time, I assumed that Brigid and Marilyn had been friends for many years so it was a great surprise to learn their friendship developed once they came home to the Woods.

The care and companionship they provided one another was so dear. And, as their dementia took away memory, they continued to draw even closer to each other. There were hours spent at the puzzle table; walks outside and over to Providence Center and back; times in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and in this church.

Brigid seemed to lose some of her spark following Marilyn’s death. Martha Starkey, the Manager of Lourdes Hall where they each lived said, “I can’t wait until they meet in heaven and see each other as their full selves.”

Brigid, you chose to live as both Martha and Mary; loving deeply, serving joyfully, and honoring Divine Providence each and every day. Now, we believe you are truly your fullest self.

We thank you.

Funeral Information

Funeral services for Sister Brigid took place Wednesday, July 30, and Thursday, July 31, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

A Wake took place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 30, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., on Thursday, July 31.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Brigid to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Brigid in the comment section below.

Sister Brigid Ann Bonner

Complete Ministry

In Illinois: Teacher, St. Mark, Chicago (1962-65).

In Indiana: Teacher, St. John the Baptist, Whiting (1965-67); Teacher, Our Lady of the Greenwood, Greenwood (1967-69); Teacher, St. John, Loogootee (1969-70); Teacher, St. James, Indianapolis (1970-71); Teacher, St. Michael, Greenfield (1971-74); Teacher, St. Mary, Lafayette (1974-77); Teacher, St. Philip Neri, Indianapolis (1977-79); Social Work/Chaplain, Providence Retirement Home, New Albany (1982-91); Residential Service Ministry, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2022-23); Prayer, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2023-2025).

In Kansas: Chaplain, St. Francis Hospital, Topeka (1979).

In Kentucky: Hospital Social Worker, SS Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, Louisville (1991-97); Social Worker, Caritas Medical Center, Louisville (1998-2005); Social Worker, Britthaven of South Louisville, Louisville (2005-09); Substitute Teacher, Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen, St. Thomas More Trail, Louisville (2010-15); Parish volunteer, ministry to the homeless, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Louisville (2015-17); Ministry to the homeless, St. Vincent de Paul Center, Louisville (2017-22).