A Tribute to Bonnie Lisa Big Head
Bonnie was born on July 28th, 1969 in Cardston, Alberta and she passed away on September 13th, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta. Her parents were the late Gloria Red Crow of the Blood Tribe and John Desjarlais of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation.
Bonnie had two beautiful daughters, Samantha Rose Big Head and Megan Heavy Shields and son in-law, TJ Devine. She was blessed with two Granddaughters: Hanna Rose Big Head and Lilly Georgina Big Head; Twin Grandsons: Dimitri Phoenix Richard Devine and Romy John Theodore Devine; and Grandsons: Isaac Devine and Kenyon Heavy Runner.
Bonnie will be dearly missed by her brothers and sisters: Floyd (Maxine) Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Ivy-Annie Big Head, Ramona Big Head, Emile (Noreen) Big Head, Jennifer (Terry) Ivins and Shawn Big Head; Bonnie was also raised with her very close cousins whom she also considered brothers and sisters: Shelly Big Sorrel Horse, Stanley Big Sorrel Horse, Sherri Big Sorrel Horse, Vicky (Clinton) Crow Chief, Ivy Big Sorrel Horse and Kurt Big Sorrel Horse and all of her many, many nieces and nephews who always referred to her as the “cool” aunt.
Bonnie is survived by her father, Alexander (Jack) Red Crow; maternal aunt and uncles, Elizabeth Big Head; Glen (Bernice) Yellowfeet, Oliver (Frankie) Scout; her adoptive uncles and aunties: Dale Low Horn, Roy (Christine) Bare Shin Bone, Linda (Jim) Shot Both Sides, Lucille Bare Shin Bone, Jordan (Susan) Bare Shin Bone, Johnny Bare Shin Bone, Randy Bare Shin Bone, Gail (Randy) Many Bears, Roy (Delores) Big Head;
Bonnie was predeceased by her parents and her step-father, Peter Big Head Sr., her maternal grandparents: Ivy Spear Chief and George Scout; her maternal aunts and uncles: Beatrice Big Sorrel Horse, Julia Striped Wolf, Warner Scout, Juliana Welles, David Yellowfeet, Iris Knife, Irvin Yellowfeet, Wayne Yellowfeet, Eric and Gerald Cold Weather; her niece Galena Brave Rock; her nephew Jovian Big Head; Her great-aunt Cecile Spear Chief and, recently, her little brother, PJ Big Head.
Bonnie had many close friends who were extremely shocked and deeply saddened by her death. One of her friends was looking forward to “growing old” together with Bonnie. Another dear friend mentioned that Bonnie was “Always a special friend to me. She always kept in touch with me throughout the years and I will always cherish her free spirit and her love for life. I will always embrace her kindness to me and will hold her in my prayers always…on her journey home”
Still another friend shared fond memories of living “down the strip East of Standoff… there was all us kids that would hang out together. Bonnie was always the fearless one who would be one of the first to attempt the crazy ideas and stuff.”
A former teacher shared her “fond memories of Bonnie over the years both in and out of school. She was always so kind and warm towards me and seemed so pleased whenever we met…but she will [now] be with her dear mother.
One of Bonnie’s adoptive aunts shared her grief, “I'm still in shock… I took her as a niece; she called me aunty. I still can't believe she's gone. The last time I was with her was at the Woman's shelter when I worked there and she said she wasn't lonely when I was there.” One of her adoptive uncles shared that “every now and then I bump into her and she always greeted me with “Hi Uncle!”
Still another friend shared that “Bonnie was a very beautiful kind woman, I can still picture her the last time I saw her.” Another shared, “She was a true friend and sister to me.” Finally, one of her closest friends simply referred to Bonnie as “My bro...my good friend.”
Bonnie’s love for her younger cousins and nephews and nieces was one of her greatest strengths. One of her nieces shared, “I can’t believe you’re gone. I’m avoiding the reality of this. I’ve known you my whole life, and I’m going to miss seeing you, popping in every now and then. My heart hurts so much! You were like an older sister to us. Rest in paradise Bonnie. Say Hi to Grandma for me.”
Bonnie’s special relationship with her nieces and nephews began when they were just babies. She babysat and helped care for many of them. But, once they grew up, they referred to her as the “Best aunt you could ever have… and there was stuff you could only tell Bonnie, but not your mom!”
Bonnie loved her daughters and she cherished her grandchildren. She was so excited when she was able to see her twin grandsons for the first time. She stayed at the hospital until they were both given the green light to go home.
Bonnie was one of the most resilient women around. She could get back on her feet each time she fell. She was very resourceful and made the most of everything she acquired for herself and her family. Her apartment was always homey, comfortable, neat and nice. She made any space her own. She was really clean and if she walked into your house and it was messy, she would immediately start washing your dishes and cleaning your home.
Bonnie’s legacy is simply who she was: a prayerful Catholic who always had her rosaries with her; a caring daughter; a loving mother and grandmother; a supportive sister; a dear friend; a cool aunt; and a truly genuine human being that would literally give her last bit of change or her warm jacket… just so you would be ok.
“Remember, no [wo]man is a failure who has friends…” (It’s A Wonderful Life)
The Wake Service will be held on Monday, September 21st at Floyd and Maxine Big Head’s residence from 3:00 - 10:00 pm. The Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, September 22nd at Legacy Funeral Home Cardston at 11:00 am with a viewing beginning at 9:30 am prior to the service. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery.
Click Here to Send the Family a Condolence
Bonnie was born on July 28th, 1969 in Cardston, Alberta and she passed away on September 13th, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta. Her parents were the late Gloria Red Crow of the Blood Tribe and John Desjarlais of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation.
Bonnie had two beautiful daughters, Samantha Rose Big Head and Megan Heavy Shields and son in-law, TJ Devine. She was blessed with two Granddaughters: Hanna Rose Big Head and Lilly Georgina Big Head; Twin Grandsons: Dimitri Phoenix Richard Devine and Romy John Theodore Devine; and Grandsons: Isaac Devine and Kenyon Heavy Runner.
Bonnie will be dearly missed by her brothers and sisters: Floyd (Maxine) Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Ivy-Annie Big Head, Ramona Big Head, Emile (Noreen) Big Head, Jennifer (Terry) Ivins and Shawn Big Head; Bonnie was also raised with her very close cousins whom she also considered brothers and sisters: Shelly Big Sorrel Horse, Stanley Big Sorrel Horse, Sherri Big Sorrel Horse, Vicky (Clinton) Crow Chief, Ivy Big Sorrel Horse and Kurt Big Sorrel Horse and all of her many, many nieces and nephews who always referred to her as the “cool” aunt.
Bonnie is survived by her father, Alexander (Jack) Red Crow; maternal aunt and uncles, Elizabeth Big Head; Glen (Bernice) Yellowfeet, Oliver (Frankie) Scout; her adoptive uncles and aunties: Dale Low Horn, Roy (Christine) Bare Shin Bone, Linda (Jim) Shot Both Sides, Lucille Bare Shin Bone, Jordan (Susan) Bare Shin Bone, Johnny Bare Shin Bone, Randy Bare Shin Bone, Gail (Randy) Many Bears, Roy (Delores) Big Head;
Bonnie was predeceased by her parents and her step-father, Peter Big Head Sr., her maternal grandparents: Ivy Spear Chief and George Scout; her maternal aunts and uncles: Beatrice Big Sorrel Horse, Julia Striped Wolf, Warner Scout, Juliana Welles, David Yellowfeet, Iris Knife, Irvin Yellowfeet, Wayne Yellowfeet, Eric and Gerald Cold Weather; her niece Galena Brave Rock; her nephew Jovian Big Head; Her great-aunt Cecile Spear Chief and, recently, her little brother, PJ Big Head.
Bonnie had many close friends who were extremely shocked and deeply saddened by her death. One of her friends was looking forward to “growing old” together with Bonnie. Another dear friend mentioned that Bonnie was “Always a special friend to me. She always kept in touch with me throughout the years and I will always cherish her free spirit and her love for life. I will always embrace her kindness to me and will hold her in my prayers always…on her journey home”
Still another friend shared fond memories of living “down the strip East of Standoff… there was all us kids that would hang out together. Bonnie was always the fearless one who would be one of the first to attempt the crazy ideas and stuff.”
A former teacher shared her “fond memories of Bonnie over the years both in and out of school. She was always so kind and warm towards me and seemed so pleased whenever we met…but she will [now] be with her dear mother.
One of Bonnie’s adoptive aunts shared her grief, “I'm still in shock… I took her as a niece; she called me aunty. I still can't believe she's gone. The last time I was with her was at the Woman's shelter when I worked there and she said she wasn't lonely when I was there.” One of her adoptive uncles shared that “every now and then I bump into her and she always greeted me with “Hi Uncle!”
Still another friend shared that “Bonnie was a very beautiful kind woman, I can still picture her the last time I saw her.” Another shared, “She was a true friend and sister to me.” Finally, one of her closest friends simply referred to Bonnie as “My bro...my good friend.”
Bonnie’s love for her younger cousins and nephews and nieces was one of her greatest strengths. One of her nieces shared, “I can’t believe you’re gone. I’m avoiding the reality of this. I’ve known you my whole life, and I’m going to miss seeing you, popping in every now and then. My heart hurts so much! You were like an older sister to us. Rest in paradise Bonnie. Say Hi to Grandma for me.”
Bonnie’s special relationship with her nieces and nephews began when they were just babies. She babysat and helped care for many of them. But, once they grew up, they referred to her as the “Best aunt you could ever have… and there was stuff you could only tell Bonnie, but not your mom!”
Bonnie loved her daughters and she cherished her grandchildren. She was so excited when she was able to see her twin grandsons for the first time. She stayed at the hospital until they were both given the green light to go home.
Bonnie was one of the most resilient women around. She could get back on her feet each time she fell. She was very resourceful and made the most of everything she acquired for herself and her family. Her apartment was always homey, comfortable, neat and nice. She made any space her own. She was really clean and if she walked into your house and it was messy, she would immediately start washing your dishes and cleaning your home.
Bonnie’s legacy is simply who she was: a prayerful Catholic who always had her rosaries with her; a caring daughter; a loving mother and grandmother; a supportive sister; a dear friend; a cool aunt; and a truly genuine human being that would literally give her last bit of change or her warm jacket… just so you would be ok.
“Remember, no [wo]man is a failure who has friends…” (It’s A Wonderful Life)
The Wake Service will be held on Monday, September 21st at Floyd and Maxine Big Head’s residence from 3:00 - 10:00 pm. The Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, September 22nd at Legacy Funeral Home Cardston at 11:00 am with a viewing beginning at 9:30 am prior to the service. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery.
Click Here to Send the Family a Condolence