CLIFFORD – This community lost one its most dedicated and passionate volunteers with the passing of Bonnie Whitehead last week.
She died on Feb. 10 at the Palmerston and District Hospital.
The long-time Clifford resident was a dedicated volunteer to many organizations and literally put her community in the news on a regular basis.
Whitehead is perhaps best known for providing stories and photographs from local events to area newspapers, as she has for more than two decades. She was employed during the ‘90s by the now-defunct Clifford News, a sister publication to the Teeswater News which was published by Harry and Carol Helfenstein.
Her contributions have continued to appear in numerous local publications, including the Wellington Advertiser, the North Wellington Community News, Mildmay Town Crier and Minto Express.
In recent years, she contributed to the pages of the Independent Plus, Listowel Banner and Wingham Advance Times with news from Howick Township.
Whitehead volunteered her time to many local organizations including: the Clifford horticultural and heritage society, the Canadian Diabetes Society, Caressant Care nursing home in Harriston, local youth and seniors organizations and the Belmore Maple Syrup Festival.
She also committed many hours to Knox United Church, editing the church bulletin.
In June of 2014 she was presented with the Clifford Lions Club Citizen of the Year award.
“Over the years Bonnie has always been supportive of the Clifford Lions Club and other local service clubs and groups as well, more than anyone could really know,” said Ivan Campbell, secretary of the club at the time.
Wellington Advertiser editor Chris Daponte said Whitehead’s contributions to groups in the Town of Minto and village of Clifford were “invaluable.
“Bonnie dedicated much of her time volunteering to help others,” said Daponte.
“From the newspaper’s perspective, her regular photo and article submissions were certainly appreciated and helped to ensure Clifford was well represented in local news outlets, including but not limited to the Community News. It was clear from her work that she cared deeply about her community.
“Bonnie’s dedication and selflessness will be missed by many,” Daponte added.
Advertiser publisher Dave Adsett added, “Bonnie was a tremendous community booster who dedicated herself to sharing local news with the community she loved.”
Reporter Patrick Raftis of the North Wellington Community News said, “Bonnie was genuinely proud of her community and really motivated to tell the world about it.”
Raftis added, “Bonnie contributed to several newspapers that I worked with over the years and her articles and photographs were appreciated by both the publications and their readers. She highlighted the positive elements of her community with passion and prose and she never asked for anything but some space to share her stories.”
Midwestern Newspapers regional editor Mike Wilson recalled, “Bonnie was always eager to cover events in her beloved hometown, and any time you ran into her in the community, she greeted you with a smile and friendly conversation.
“And when she met someone new from one of our papers, she was the first to introduce herself, give the reporter tips on who to talk to for good quotes, and make sure you got all of the right information. Bonnie loved her community, and it shows by how much the community loved her.”
A Celebration of Whitehead’s life will be held at Knox United Church in Clifford, and details will be announced as finalized by the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com.
