Yvonne "Bonnie" Grant

GRANT Yvonne "Bonnie" Grant, born in Bournemouth, England on April 23, 1921, died on April 24, 2010 at Canon Hospice in Metairie following a short illness. She is survived by her daughter, Lana Duke and her grandson R. David Duke and his wife, Lori Schiro Duke. Ms. Grant had just celebrated her 89th birthday a few hours earlier surrounded by family and good friends. Accompanied by her parents in 1929, she and her family emigrated from England to the Toronto, Ontario Canada area where Bonnie grew up and received her education. She possessed a natural talent for salesmanship and was successful in many areas including telephone sales and TV advertising but found her special niche selling fine jewelry. She was one of the first women in Canada to receive the distinction of an Accredited Jewelry Professional. Bonnie moved to New Orleans in 1966, and she continued her career in sales. Employed for 20 years at Pailet and Penedo Jewelers on Baronne Street, she served several generations of New Orleanians with their special occasion jewelry purchases. From birth, graduation, engagement, and anniversary gifts, her expertise and fine tastes were highly sought after by her repeat customers. Her wanderlust led her to visit many parts of the world from the exotic Far East, the Holy Land, Africa, to all the European capitals, and to both coasts of the United States and Canada and most everything in between. A woman of many interests and talents, she was an accomplished bridge player, a shrewd poker and gin player, and Bonnie delighted friends with her ability to read Tarot cards. Bonnie was blessed with a keen mind and will be missed by her family and friends. A devout Roman Catholic convert, she never forgot her Presbyterian upbringing. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., on Wednesday April 28, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Visitation from 11:00 AM until service time. Interment to follow in Metairie Cemetery. Contributions to Raintree Children and Family Services, 1233 Eighth St., NOLA 70115, preferred. To sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.