BONNIE WALSH

April 23, 1947 – August 10, 2015

The Rockland prolife community lost one of its greats this past summer, Bonnie Walsh, of Haverstraw, who passed away Aug. 10.

Bonnie was a nurse and community leader, whose good works encompassed the full spectrum of human life.

She was a strong supporter of the Good Counsel Home (for homeless moms and babies) in Spring Valley and was honored for her work in 2003. She also received an award in 2011 from the Catholic Community Services of Rockland for her caring for those who needed assistance in our community. She worked tirelessly to hold political leaders accountable and to make Rockland a better place to live. 

Bonnie, however, was best known for serving the sick and dying, first as head nurse at the Intensive Care Unit at Nyack Hospital and then a hospice nurse and executive for United Hospice of Rockland. She was instrumental in founding the Joe Raso Hospice Residence in New City, which has helped so many local families. And in her final days, she was still teaching palliative care classes to her fellow nurses and counseling sick friends and their families.

A few years ago, at a Rockland County Life Chain event, while being interviewed by the media, Bonnie found reason to correct herself. Speaking of the then recently deceased prolife priest Msgr. John Harrington, she had said how much she loved and missed him and noted that every year he “was always here,” at this event.

She stopped, thought for a moment, and then said with a smile: “But he really is here. Absolutely. It’s just that we can’t see him.”

May the same be said of you, Bonnie. God bless you. Rest in peace.