BELGRADE – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Aldace “Bonnie” Grant, April 3, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Bonnie was born Aldace Anne McKay, May 24, 1934, in Presque Isle, to Claude Martin McKay and Evelyn Mae (Gould) McKay. At age four, Bonnie decided that she did not like being called Aldace and declared her name officially changed. She has been known by friends and family as “Bonnie” ever since. Bonnie has always been a kind and compassionate person. As a professional counselor, she felt that one of her greatest contributions was in the years she spent helping so many people with addictions to regain their lives. Working from the pain of personal experience and having gone through recovery herself, she was proud to have been sober herself for more than 24 years and to have helped so many others on this journey. Another passion for Bonnie was the genealogy and the ancestry of her family. Her favorite spot was Sand Point on Mount Desert Island. Her roots ran deep here, as she was a direct descendent of John Hamor, who was the first settler in this area of Frenchman’s Bay in the early 1700s. She always found a special sense of peace on Sand Point. Bonnie leaves behind a large and loving group of family and friends. These include, her brother, Elliot Sutherland; her children, Mark M. Booker, Vicki E. and Timothy L. Clewley, Timothy G. and Cindy Booker, and her youngest son, Paul D. and Audrey J. Booker, Sr. She also leaves behind 13 very special grandchildren, who she loved deeply and was very proud of. She wished to express her special thoughts to her grandson, Joe, who is also fighting his own courageous battle with this disease, and to her latest grandson, Asa, who she called her leveler because he eased her pain with his smile. She had eight great-grandchildren from Mexico to Maine, to points out west. She also wished to express her special gratitude to her former husband, Nathan Booker, who came back to her side to help her during this time, and for being the father of her children. She will be watching over us all. She was predeceased by her grandmother who raised her, Mae Hamor Gould; her special brother, Gordon “Skip” Sutherland, brother, Terry McKay; and her baby son, Bryan E. Booker. Bonnie wishes to thank the staff at the Maine General oncology and radiology units. Her family wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation to Lakewood Continuing Care facility and their top-notch staff. In respect of her wishes, there will be no funeral or viewing, with immediate cremation and her ashes to be spread in Frenchman’s Bay, where she will be at peace again. In lieu of flowers or money, please make a donation in Bonnie’s memory to Harold Alfond Center for CancerCare at www.mainegeneral.org and help them help others to fight this battle.
ALDACE ‘BONNIE’ M. GRANT
