Memorial

Bonnie Lou Hutchinson was born on August 6, 1935 to Dolores and Leo Baum in Worthington, Iowa.  She died on April 27, 2014 at the age of 78.

There was a beautiful funeral service in her honor held on April 29, 2014 at the Cedar Rapids Baha'i Center, located at 1921 1st Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, followed by a graveside service at Cedar Memorial Cemetery at 11:00am.

Bonnie's life can be summed up by purity of heart.  She encountered many difficulties, yet always had a determination to move forward.  She was Catholic for most of her life and then at the age of 69 years old she became a member of the Baha'i Faith.

Bonnie married Haynes Hutchinson on March 23, 1974.  Haynes passed away on February 7, 2002.  Together they had one daughter, Julie Hutchinson, born on September 26, 1974.  Julie is still living and currently resides in Wilmette, Illinois.

Bonnie is survived by 5 siblings, Joyce Bell, Connie Bolba, Dianne Wilson, Bob Baum, and Jean Albers.

During the last 9 months of Bonnie's life, she underwent a profound spiritual transformation, which was witnessed by her family and friends, as well as the staff of the care facility she was residing, Living Center West in Cedar Rapids.  She released fear, embraced love and kindness, and was an advocate for others in need.  The following account of her passing into the next life, was posted by her daughter, Julie Hutchinson, on Facebook, the day following her passing.  This gives a glimpse into her death and how it mirrored the true reality of her soul for her entire life:

Life is a miracle. Each of us is a miracle. The miracle of Bonnie Hutchinson, my dear mother, took her flight to the Realm of Light soon after midnight on April 27, 2014. The whole process of the last several days has been one miracle after another. Just one of those miracles was that she had 5 people in her room with her when she passed. I had left about 9:45pm Saturday night. I had a strong feeling she was going to pass that night and that she didn't want me there in that moment, in order to protect me. My friend's 5 year old son said earlier that evening that she would pass when the sun went down and he pointed out the window to the sun.

On Saturday morning she was talking to me and having pain in her leg. We decided to increase her morphine to every hour. Soon she transitioned into a stage where she wasn't answering our questions or talking much at all. Then her breathing became very labored and heavy and there was a rattling sound. She stopped drinking water (she hadn't eaten hardly any solid food for weeks). The nursing staff would come in frequently and reposition her and swab her mouth with water to moisten it.

Around 5:00pm Saturday evening I got a very strong feeling we needed to have a devotional gathering in her room. It felt urgent. The Baha'is called around and gathered whoever was available and we said prayers at 7:00pm in her room for her spiritual progress and peace.

Around 9:00pm I was with her by myself in her room. I laid down with her on her bed and cried and told her in a thousand ways how much I love her and what an astounding soul she is and how much I deeply respect her difficult, but amazing journey in life. I felt it was my last conversation with her and that she was waiting for me to leave to pass. The nursing staff said they had never seen anyone as responsive as she was at that stage. I would say something and she would move her shoulders or her eyebrows or twitch her fingers or make a sound. She was a very determined woman and it felt like she was determined to communicate her love to me somehow in that moment.

I left the room saying Allah'u'Abha (meaning God is most glorious) and I felt her energy toward me as if she was saying it back. I then found out about 1:00am that she had passed with 5 of the 6 staff in the entire nursing home in her room. A nurse holding one hand, an aide holding the other, and a hospice nurse at her head holding her shoulders and all of them saying it is OK to let go. My mom opened her eyes, took her last breath and at that moment a huge gust of wind came through the window.

The next day some of us washed her precious body, shrouded it and put a burial ring on her finger that says that we all come from God and unto Him shall we return. Tomorrow morning is her funeral. There are many more miracles I have not shared here. I feel so close to the next world. It is really right here with us. She is now my Chief Angel and I know she is giving a new meaning to the word rejoicing. Praise God for His endless bounties."


Please accept the gratitude of Bonnie's daughter to each and every one of you who accompanied Bonnie on this earthly journey, helped her to learn, and showed her love and kindness.