Bonnie Parkinson

Bonnie Joy Parkinson, 89, passed away May 11, 2022, in Washington City, Utah.  It is with both sorrow and gratitude that we announce the departure of our beloved Joy who, in death, found refuge from the suffering brought upon her by congestive heart failure. The burden of our sorrow, which by definition is the loss of “joy”, was lightened significantly knowing that the beautiful soul we lost had found her everlasting peace.

She was born November 17, 1932 in Salina, Utah to Hans Peter Ditlevsen and Narvella Jensen. She married Joseph Lynn Parkinson in the St. George Utah Temple on September 14, 1955.

Joy, as she was known by most people, was the middle child of seven and faced several challenges during her early years. By the age of six, death had claimed the lives of her mother and one of her sisters. Her father and another brother also passed away during the early stages of her life. Joy attended and received her associates degree at College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University) in Cedar City, Utah. That is where she also met her husband to be, Joseph Lynn Parkinson. They created an abundance of new life during their 60 plus years together leaving behind posterity that will always remember their legacy. Together they traveled to each of the 50 United States and 27 different countries. They dabbled in many hobbies, such as hiking and golf, but their true passion together was square dancing. Lynn, ironically, wasdiagnosed with and battled Parkinson’s disease for many years, before passing away on March 27, 2016.

Joy lived up to her name during the 89 years she spent on this earth. Joy was an excellent seamstress sewing clothes for her family and many of her own square dance outfits. She also loved to read preferring a good book to the TV any time. She was known for being soft spoken and always smiling. She was kind, generous and compassionate and volunteered for many organizations. She loved her entire family, despite their quirks and flaws. She worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, and always kept on loving them. Joy always found a way to lift the spirits of those who were down. She enriched the lives of all who knew her, while asking little in return.

Farewell Joy and Godspeed!

She is survived by her brother Roger Ditlevsen (Marlene) and her five children: Bonnie Cardon (Roger), Bruce Parkinson (Maggie), Scott Parkinson (Julie), Jeffrey Parkinson (Teresa), Thomas Parkinson (Jenny), 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 30, 2022 at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1500 Ridge View Dr., Washington, Utah 84780. Interment will be at the Toquerville Cemetery, under the direction of McMillan Mortuary 435-688-8880.

You may donate to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian fund in lieu of flowers.