Bonnie Jean Robson (née McLean), age 80, of Barrie, Ontario, passed away peacefully at Woods Park Retirement Home during the early morning hours of September 8, 2025.
Born May 25, 1945, Bonnie Jean was the youngest of 3 children, all sisters, of Ivan and Eva (Stork) McLean. Bonnie Jean was born in the old family farmhouse, now known as Glad Hill Acres on Highway 93, located at Crownhill.
Soon after Bonnie Jean’s birth the family moved to Dalston, across from the general store, and remained there while the new family home was being built in what was then known as Cundles Village in Barrie.
Bonnie Jean went on to attend public school at the one-room schoolhouse location on the corner of Cundles Road and Bayfield Street, now the current CIBC bank. Bonnie Jean successfully managed to be promoted in Public School to take 2 years in one, so was moved on down Cundles Road to the newer Public School to complete her upper Elementary Grades. Jean entered Secondary School at a young age, but was top of her class at the time, something she took great pride in! Jean then continued on to her Secondary School days at Barrie North Collegiate where she had much fun and enjoyment and even received a bursary for her scholastic achievement in Grade 13. While attending school Jean favoured volleyball as her sport of interest. Outside of school Jean also enjoyed ladies softball where she took part on a Team of winners called the “Hillcrest Monarchs”. Jean’s passion for ladies softball was a result of influence by her older sisters, Beth and Lorna, who were renowned in the sport at the time. Even though Jean played mainly as a substitute player, she took great pride in her Team winning the Ontario Championship!
During Jean’s high school years she worked part-time as a waitress where she saved up for a trip to Europe with her older sisters, as company, thanks to her father.
Following her graduation from high school, Jean continued on through to Teachers College where she succeeded in acquiring an “A” Grade with letters of recommendation from 2 different schoolboards as to the quality of her work in the classroom. Jean’s career was further enhanced by the addition of 17 courses that Jean completed outside of the classroom.
Following completion of her Teachers Certificate, Jean went on to start her teaching career in Brampton, for a short period, continued by her employment at Steele Street Public School in Barrie where she taught Grades 1 and 2.
In her lifetime, Jean had the “life experiences” of a European trip, the accomplishment of her high school diploma, followed by her teaching certificate, success in her career of choice and her marriage to John Robson, with whom 2 sons were born.
Jean continued to live a life of few pleasures, including, but not limited to gathering with friends to play euchre, gardening, painting, writing and her music. Jean loved to enjoy a good breakfast while sharing the service of the Crystal Cathedral on Sunday television. Jean was also the founder of an RC Car Club, the “Radio Road Runners”, which she started when her eldest son was young.
Let’s not forget to mention “Jean’s Housing Hotline” which Jean created, voluntarily, to assist with the community’s housing needs. Jean helped provide comfort and support to so many who she enjoyed sharing her home with for many years. During this time Jean had the pleasure of assisting people from all over including calls from the Yukon, Washington D.C., London, England, Florida and many more. Jean would like the family to announce that “Jean’s Housing Hotline is officially no more”.
Jean also helped many youth in the community through her tutoring services, helping to ensure the educational success of so many over the years.
Jean loved writing as well and compiled many pieces pertaining to her adventures, ups and downs and even mishaps. She has left behind many stories for her loved ones to enjoy and reminisce through her eyes, all heartfully captured for everyone to enjoy!
Jean took up guitar and learned how to chord with gusto! She often gathered friends of similar interest in her living room where the echoes of music making filled the air. When not playing guitar or piano, which was another musical passion, she would be listening to the many eras and genres of music that she had collected over the years, especially her Elvis records, while curling up to her beautiful fireplace in which she took great pride in having to keep her warm and comfortable!
An avid animal lover, Jean owned many cats and dogs over the course of her lifetime, including Black Tinky while living with her parents and Freddy, the water spaniel along with Tom the stray cat, Honey and Sparky, the orange kitties, Sam, the yellow lab when at Anton Mills, Pandora, Cocoa, Nugget, Church, Max, Tooty, Ebony, Gillian, Spats and Picasso and Chance and Pita. During her later years Jean enjoyed the company of her dog, Chance, who was one of her most valued treasures.
Following her marriage to John Robson in 1967, Jean and John moved into their new place on Little Avenue, in Barrie, before purchasing their new home in Anton Mills in 1974. Following this, she moved to their home on Cook Street, where Jean spent many years raising her sons. Due to a medical illness Jean lost a portion of one her legs and eventually the house ownership and upkeep became too much, resulting in her eventual move to St. Mary’s Seniors Residence in Barrie.
A lifetime resident of Barrie, Jean was preceded in death by parents, Ivan and Eva, and her sisters, Beth and Lorna. She is survived by her sons Daniel (Lindsay) of Barrie, and David (Melissa) of Manitoulin Island, nieces Kelly and Karen and great nephews Jesse and Maclean.
Special thanks to the staff at Woods Park Retirement Living and Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie for their care and compassion over the last few months.
Cremation has taken place. While Jean requested no formal funeral, a gathering to celebrate her life with family and friends will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie on Friday, October 3rd, 2025 from 12-2 pm. A private graveside service at Barrie Union Cemetery will follow. Donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Jean would be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences and memories may be shared via www.steckleygooderham.com