On October 18th, 2011, Annie went home, peacefully, to be with her Heavenly Father, at the age of 8. She is survived
by her parents, Francois and Lori Bonaparte of Gilroy, her siblings Luke Bonaparte, Jessica Bonaparte, Joshua Bonaparte, Leah Bonaparte, grandmother Dixie Bonapart, loving care takers Laurie and Rick Barmore, and many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and health care professionals.
Annie was born with a rare chromosome disorder. Upon birth, her prognosis did not look promising. The fact that she was born alive was a miracle, in itself…but the miracles of survival just kept coming for over eight years, after that.
Her life presented many medical challenges: She had 16 surgeries within her first two years of her life. She spent her first five years, at home with her parents, which included many doctor visits, hospital stays, a few ambulance rides and even a helicopter ride. After becoming very ill and requiring 24 hour care, she lived out her final three and a half years at The Children’s Recovery Center in San Jose (a skilled nursing facility for children).
Through it all, she maintained an overwhelming joy for life. She displayed a level of perseverance and contentment that was unparalleled and heroic. Through her joy, perseverance and contentment, she inspired and taught others.
Lessons from Annie
A child who couldn’t see, speak, sit up or walk and yet lived fully present in each moment with incredible joy.
You don’t need eyes that see to have vision or insight.
You don’t need an incredible voice to have a powerful song.
You don’t need perfect circumstances to have joy and contentment.
You don’t need to speak to communicate volumes.
You don’t need high intelligence to understand love.
You don’t need to live in the past or worry about the future
…because everything you’re looking for is in the present moment.
Life is good and full of wonder and excitement…smile and dance.
In celebration of Annie’s life, a funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 A.M., preceded by a public viewing at 9:30 A.M., at South Valley Community Church, 8095 Kelton Dr., Gilroy. A reception will follow at Anchorpoint Christian School, 2220 Pacheco Pass Highway, Gilroy.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be most grateful for donations to go toward funeral expenses.
They can be sent to: Annie Bonaparte Memorial Fund, Acct.# 9247223820, Wells Fargo Bank, 777 1st St., Gilroy, CA 95020.
