This afternoon at around 1PM Bonnie Johnson Shurman died of her third heart attack at Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport NC. It appears that her Acute Myelogenous Leukemia may have returned: Bonnie's white blood count had plummeted from 17 to a dismally low of 1.8 in a few weeks. Normal numbers for a White Blood Count are 4 - 8.
Bonnie appeared to have about 1 year to live, for the last 9 years. She never asked "why me?" nor prayed for her life to be spared. Bonnie learned from her conditions and prayed for wisdom and compassion.
Bonnie’s focus in the last decade of her life was to be a wellspring to her grandchildren and children and to be of service to the people in her church.
Bonnie was concerned and passionate about helping people with Chronic and Fatal Illnesses take practical, fundamental steps. She helped people do ontological reconstructions of Life to discover meaning in their lives.
She liked to sit with people in rockers overlooking the ocean, sharing tea and talking about God. Bonnie called this kind of spiritual direction, spiritual companionship. Bonnie would be touched if you considered God your special Friend and communion with your Friend as "just what there is to do now".
Bonnie's memorial celebration of Life will be on Friday 10 June at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Southport NC at 2 PM. A memorial service will be held in Palo Alto later in June, details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Heifer Project and give families sources of their own food and clothing or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and give people like Bonnie another chance at Life.
Daniel is doing remarkably well. I find I am relieved that Bonnie is not suffering any pain now. And I already miss her laughter.
Thank you for your friendship over the years.
/Daniel for BanD
I just got the call from my mom. I am so sorry and so sad... I wish I had given her a better hug or said something more to her when I saw her in April. You are in my thoughts.. and so is she.
Love,
Amanda
Posted by: Al301804 | June 02, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Daniel,
Our prayers go out to you and your entire family for your continued peace with Bonnie's death. She was truly a remarkable woman, with an amazing spirit, determination, and love of God. She was a model for so many of us, and a wonderful example of what you can do despite continuous roadblocks and detours along the path we call life. She will be missed by many, but remembered for the person she was by just as many, if not more, people.
God's peace to you.
Gene & Martha Myers
Posted by: Martha Myers | June 02, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Daniel,
This is indeed sorrowful news. Just yesterday we were writing back and forth about your visiting with us in State College next week -- and now, it is over.
I am glad that this seems to have been a relatively rapid end. Bonnie went through so much suffering all these years, it is good to believe that in the end she did not have to do that again.
You are in our thoughts, and prayers, and hopes. I am hoping that you remain capable and strong, for yourself, and your family, and for Bonnie. The world needs that book you have been working on, and now, it is up to you.
Words are inadequate --
Love,
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret | June 02, 2011 at 07:34 PM
It just got really quiet here except for the birds, evening sun streaming across the canyon. I am certain that Bonnie Paid Attention to every moment of such beauty. Bonnie Paid Attention. And so does Daniel. Love and courage, and wonder at such a life.
Posted by: Brenda Laurel | June 02, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Hexagram 52 ("Ken") - Mountain
You remain.
Remaining is hard; harder than a thousand mountains - death is as easy as the water that runs down the Mountain.
You remain.
Posted by: Rob | June 02, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Daniel, We are so sorry. Bonnie's light will most certainly continue to shine. We are thinking of you and will look forward to seeing you in California soon. And most definitely celebrating Bonnie's life! Nancy Dickenson and Dick Shoup
Posted by: nancy dickenson | June 02, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Daniel, I am numb with shock. Grateful that she passed without more horrific hospitalizations or pain. My heart is with you. I will see you soon. Blessings on your journey. MOVE SLOWLY. Namaste, betsy
Posted by: betsy | June 02, 2011 at 08:34 PM
I never felt more loved by, or cheished, or honored by anyone. I trust she felt even a fraction of that. Hugs from one bear to another.
Posted by: Larry Browning | June 02, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Despite my expectation of receiving this news for many years,
its actual arrival saddens me more than I can say.
Somehow it has seemed to me that Bonnie would outlive us all.
In the words of the Heart Sutra: "Gone, gone, gone to opposite shore, wisdom hail!"
My deepest condolences to you, Daniel, and to all of Bonnie's family.
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Singer | June 02, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Just yesterday we were emailing about your upcoming visit and her excitement about same....I am so sad that we will not have our anticipated visit, but am happy for you and Bonnie that she went in peace. I will remember her intelligence, her love, optimism and fierceness forever.
You, Daniel, know that you have the support and empathy of many, many friends.
Love,
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary Remacle | June 02, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Dear Daniel and Family,
Paraphrase of an American Indian poem:
I am not gone, you can hear my voice in the wind, I am not gone, you can feel my touch in the rain, I am not gone, you will see my spirit in the rays of the sun.
May your memories and the knowledge that Bonnie is at peace comfort you in this time of sorry and loss.
Daniel, so glad I got to give you a hug when we had our chance meeting in Palo Alto a few weeks ago.
With love and condolences,
Noel & Craig
Posted by: Noel Hrist | June 02, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Daniel,
You are in my thoughts, as both you and Bonnie have been for years. Your courage, your enduring and compassionate support for Bonnie, your wisdom about life and your love for her, was always a joy to witness.
I hope to see you in Palo Alto in a few weeks.
Be kind to yourself,
Amy
Posted by: Amy Hyams | June 02, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Hi Daniel,
May Bonnie's life and memory be a blessing and may you now find comfort among your community of friends and loved ones. Eve and I learned so much from your journey, and your "best practices" helped us with our own healthcare challenge. You and Bonnie have been such an inspiration. Please let Eve and I know if there is anything that we can do to help.
Our love and our thoughts are with you.
Abbe + Eve
Posted by: Abbe Don | June 02, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Our Beloved Other Daniel. Our beloved Other Daniel. Oh, our beloved Other Daniel. With you in love.
A and D
Posted by: alices and Daniel | June 02, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Daniel,
We were so sorry to hear the news, and we have great admiration for
your ability to go through all you have suffered. We are here for you
and hope we can find ways to be of help in this difficult time and in
the work you want to do in the future. Our thoughts and love are with
you.
Terry and Carol
Posted by: Terry and Carol | June 02, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Daniel and Bonnie,
You have been an inspiration for years in your love for life and for each other. The inspiration continues.
John
Posted by: John Sack | June 02, 2011 at 10:15 PM
INTO PARADISE, may the angels carry you! May your arrival be greeted by the martyrs, and may they lead you into the Holy City, Jerusalem! May choirs of angels sing to you, and like Lazarus, who was once a poor man, may you have rest eternal!
Posted by: Jay | June 02, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Daniel San,
You, Bonnie and your families are in our hearts and souls. Please know we are thinking of you
and happy to know Dr. Bonnie suffers no more. What an inspiration she was!
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
Inspiration, move me brightly
light the song with sense and color,
hold away despair
More than this I will not ask
faced with mysteries dark and vast
statements just seem vain at last
some rise, some fall, some climb
to get to Terrapin
Posted by: Allen Hardon | June 02, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Daniel - felt a shock and also possibly a very small feeling of rightness... that she is now where the sun shines, together with so many special people. It feels strange that the earth just continues when somebody so special slips away. I guess we will understand this ourselves soon. As the others have said here, hope you are taking the good care of yourself that you deserve. Sorry not to say this better. What a radiance she was and is. Jeff in Palo Alto
Posted by: Jeff | June 02, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Daniel, Such sad news. Thanks for letting all of us know. Take care, Scott
Posted by: Scott Mainwaring | June 02, 2011 at 10:41 PM