Marguerite Bonnema

In her quiet, thoughtful way, Marguerite was an inspiration to those of us who followed her in carrying the torch within the organization she helped to establish. From such small beginnings, the Lord has spread its caring and compassionate services around the world.

My Aunt Marguerite was an inspiration to me from an early age. I'm told that when I was little, I called her "Two-Mommy". My sister Vivian and I enjoyed visiting Bethany on vacations with our parents, playing with the other children there and having pen pals from Bethany. After her retirement, we enjoyed visits with her, going on rockhounding trips with her and our Aunt Ruth, and most recently, our nightly visits with her at the nursing home, listening to her stories and working jigsaw...

I, as many others, have fond memories of Marguerite & Mary. I spent about 6 months at Bethany in about 1946-47. They offered to care for me while my mother was in the hospital for a long time. They knew my folks when they both lived in Clevland Ohio, and they were frequent guests at my folks home for Sunday dinner in Grand Rapids after they moved there to begin Bethany Home. I just wanted to say thank you to Marguerite & Mary for their contributions to the world by their efforts in starting...

I never met Miss Bonnema, but because of her work, my husband and I were able to adopt our four beautiful children. What a gift she gave to so many families like mine.

I have fond memories of being invited to a birthday dinner for a classmate who lived at Bethany Home, about 1947-48, and being welcomed by Marguerite and Mary. It was a wonderful, warm, and beautiful home, and I've never forgotten that night. These two ladies have certainly left a large legacy, that now embraces so many "newcomers". What a blessing their lives have been!

Although I never met Marguerite in person, along with every staff member at Bethany Christian Services, I can say we are in her debt. The ministry that began very humbly in 1944 has now touched hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide! Marguerite, along with Mary DeBoer was a pioneer in caring for children. We honor her sacrifice, commitment and love for the most vulnerable among us. To God be the Glory!

what a legacy she has left behind!she was my girl's club leader at Cleveland east church 70 years ago