Bonnie Wyatt-Sennott's Obituary
The “Cross-Lady” of Bella Vista goes Home. Bonnie Wyatt-Sennott went peacefully to live with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 13, 2024, following a stroke. She is survived by her Covenant Partner Don, her daughter Dawn Egan, who is an attorney ad litem for the State of Arkansas, her son-in-law Ted, a security specialist, her granddaughter Shayna and husband Josh, her sons-in-law Darrin and John Sennott, her daughter-in-law Nina Sennott, grandchildren by marriage Sierra, Savannah, and Clay, and by Bonnie’s sister Patty Wetmore and her children Erin and Sean.
The family is planning to have a memorial service this spring at Cooper Chapel.
Bonnie was born in Long Beach, California in 1947 to Charles and Dorothy Taggart. She graduated from La Quinta High School and attended Golden West College. Her first job was as a server at Carl’s Jr. The first day on the job she dropped an order and thought it would be her last day on the job. She soon became one of the best employees at her location. This job imbued her with a deep appreciation of the value of servers and other entry-level workers. She demonstrated this commitment throughout her life by the way she treated everyone from the dishwasher to the head waiter. She liked to say, “If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat out.”
After her daughter Dawn was born, Bonnie became a letter carrier - a “Parcel-Packin’ Mamma.” Facing sexual discrimination on the job, Bonnie sued the United States Post Office and won the case, which led to the establishment of tougher regulations against sexual harassment.
Bonnie married John Wyatt, a lawyer. Together they campaigned for and won him a judgeship.
Due to her difficulty losing weight, Bonnie joined Overeaters Anonymous. At first, she was afraid to even make coffee for the meetings, but in time, she rose to higher positions of authority. As a candidate for Chairman of the Board, Bonnie called John threatening to come home. He retorted, “If you do, I’ll just take you back there.”
Hiding in the bathroom before her turn to speak, she called a friend who suggested, “Just talk to God, and let them listen in.” So that’s what she did. As chairman, she ran a tight ship, finishing agendas on time and leading a team that published a book that was used across the organization.
Bon, as she liked to be called, also served as a counselor to sailors and Marines at the Long Beach Naval Hospital. Seeing the disrespect that was being shown to servicemen returning from Viet Nam, Bon organized a “Welcome Home” celebration for her patients that became a model for celebrations used in other Naval hospitals.
Bonnie and John were married for sixteen years; their marriage ended tragically when John died following a routine surgical procedure. Bonnie remained single for nearly twenty years. She met Don, a widower, on the dating website eHarmony. “eBay,” Bonnie would tease. ”no one else bid on him.” They dated for just over a year before celebrating their commitment to each other during a Covenant marriage ceremony at Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo, California. They honeymooned in Israel. During their thirteen years as husband and wife, they made it a practice to recite their Covenant Prayer each morning and to pray for the many family members and friends who were touching their lives. When Bonnie said that she’d pray for you, she meant it. One person who had a tremendous impact on their lives was Bon’s friend Barb Notko. Barb gave Bon an olive wood cross that she had purchased at a local Hallmark store. A week later, Barb called Bon and told her that she wanted to give another cross to a friend, but they were out of stock at the store. A quick Google search provided the name of a supplier. Bon bought two for Barb and two for herself. The next time she asked Don to order, the quantity was 20, and so on. Over the years Bonnie gave away over 6,000 crosses. It was her way of sharing the love of God. Bonnie and Don served as deacons at a Presbyterian church in Laguna Hills, CA, as hosts in the Assisted Living Ministry of Saddleback Church, and as co-authors of a book on Christian Living: Your Heart is an Open Book: Fill it with God’s Love. They loved each other dearly, and she will be missed by Don and by the thousands who were touched by her kindness. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.
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