Bonnie Esther (Gamble) Johnson

June 10, 1933 - September 5, 2018

Bonnie Esther (Gamble) Johnson – "A Life Well Lived" On the morning of September 5, 2018, Bonnie Esther (Gamble) Johnson, age 85, died the way she lived life--quiet, peaceful and on her own terms. Bonnie, the eldest of 9 children, was born on June 10, 1933 to parents, Harold Glen and Bernice Bonzetta (Russell) Gamble. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and remained a long-time native. Bonnie married Lloyd Joseph Johnson and together they had two children, Anthony and Wendy. Bonnie graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. Then doing something uncommon for the times, continued her education in the secretarial field. This was certainly key in securing her job as a legal secretary to the late Judge Charles Pratt for over 20 years. She also worked for Upjohn Company until she retired. Later, her sense of community and caring for others was apparent. It’s during this time she volunteered (as much as one might work) at places like Kalamazoo Health Department, The Douglas Community Center, the Kalamazoo Drop-In Center, Planned Parenthood and the Kalamazoo Ecumenical Senior Center. Her passion to empower the less fortunate in the community, and help them lead a more self-sufficient and independent life was always her focus. One meaning of Esther, Bonnie's middle name, is Star, and this was no coincidence. Bonnie was the North Star for the Gamble family. The Matriarch, a woman of few words, the Rock none the less. Loyal, devoted, steady, unfailing, trustworthy, the keeper of all secrets, just a few of the many words one might use to describe Bonnie. Others might see her as Old-fashioned, unassuming, reserved, quiet, maybe even square. In a group you might not know Bonnie was there, but as a member of this family, you would Always know she was! All this, rooted in her great love of Family: her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and many friends. Bonnie always smiled as she recalled the happenings after an Eagle Lake Ladies gathering. For over 50 years their annual weekend was one she looked forward to each year. On occasion Bonnie enjoyed watching Tiger Wood’s fortitude and drive as he played a round of Golf. Later enjoying the lively conversations with siblings, Harold and Katie. They’d smile and would say you can never count Tiger out. Or enjoy the times sitting with son Tony to watch the Detroit Tigers rally in the ninth, or Not. But, truth be told, Bonnie’s favorite match-up, was between her and the one-armed bandit, Mono-e Mono, Win or Lose. To know her, was to know the casino was her Happy place. Bonnie is preceded in death by her daughter, Wendy Rebecca (Johnson) Johnston who died of complications from Scleroderma; her parents, Harold and Bernice; grandparents, Ellis and Esther Gamble; sister, Paula Marie Carter and several nieces and nephews. Bonnie is survived by her son, Anthony Ellis Johnson (wife, Joanna); siblings: Donna Jean Pratt (Gamble); Rose Ann Prude (Gamble); Katherine Lois Hairston (Gamble); Harold Russell Gamble; Imogene Mopkins (Gamble); Sherrie Carita Gamble and Debra Elieene Kelly (Gamble); 4 grandchildren; Robin Antoinette McGhee, Aaron Joseph Johnson, Cassandra Hope Johnston, Jevestine Faith Johnston; 3 great-grandchildren: Raheem, Rasheed and Roxanne; aunt Henrietta (101 years of age); aunt Gwen (101 years of age) and hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. *****IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS may be made in Bonnie's name to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 09123. (http://www.scleroderma.org)