Burlington, West Virginia - BURLINGTON, W.Va. [mdash] Patricia Ann Bonar, age 91, of Burlington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Romney.

Patricia was born on September 11, 1932, to the late Cyril Wayne McCormick and Madge Margaret (Crisman) McCormick in Jackson, Minn. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles A. Bonar, and their daughter, Vera Page, and her husband (Patricia's favorite son-in-law) Howard.

Known to many as Abuela, Patricia is also survived by her granddaughters, Margaret Page and Sarah Page (and her fiancé Kevin Almond). She is also survived by her brother, Thomas McCormick and his wife Patty; her sister-in-law, Molly Bonar; a number of nieces and nephews; and her beloved exchange students and their families, Nicolas, Mario, and Jorge Hernandez Ynurreta-Mancera, and Marco de Moura and his wife, Valeria, along with their two children, Pedro and Joao. She also leaves behind her grand dogs, Milo & Rex.

Patricia lived in Glacier National Park as a young child while her father served as a National Park Service Ranger. The family eventually moved back to the Marshall Co. Farm on Squirrel Alley.

While in high school, she played the trombone and was a majorette for five years. After graduating from Moundsville High School in 1951, she attended Marshall College (University).

Patricia became one of the first women to integrate into Marshall's marching band, where she was a majorette for four years. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Epsilon Sorority, and graduated in 1955 with a degree in Physical Education & Health with a minor in History. She began her career teaching physical education and health in Dundalk, Md.

Patricia married Charles A. Bonar on November 25, 1955, and the pair relocated to Lampassas, Tex., for Charles' military duties. After a year or so, they returned to Fort Hill Farm and began the next chapter of their life together.

Patricia received her Master's Degree in the Visually Impaired from Eastern Michigan University and put her education to work teaching physical education to K-12 girls at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. During her tenure rhere, she started the only majorette corps of both visually and hearing-impaired high school students. She was passionate about exhibiting the athletic skills of her female students and worked diligently to prepare them each year at the annual WVSD&B Sports Carnival.

Patricia was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Friends of the Library at Burlington, and followed along with the 2004 Lewis & Clark Corp of Discovery. She was a Mineral County History Hero, and loved trying new things.

Patricia enjoyed gardening, knitting, rug braiding, and could make just about anything. She loved quilting, felting, and even painting. For a time, she was the State Director for WV Make it Yourself with Wool Program.

Together, Patricia and Charles hosted several young men from Brazil, Germany, South Africa, and Mexico with IFYE, AFS, and Rotary Exchange Programs. These experiences were impactful and their exchange students were much like family.

Friends will be received on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Burlington Union Church in Burlington. A Celebration of Pat's Life will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Linda Reece officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Patricia's honor to: Burlington Union Church Food Pantry ~ 3894 New Creek Highway ~ Keyser, WV 26726

Please direct inquiries to Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney 304.822.3511