LACONIA-Bonita “Bonny” Louise Johnston, 73, passed away while doing what she loved, taking her nightly swim, on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Bonny was born May 22, 1952, in Portsmouth, NH to Leslie and Marion (Sibley) Banks.
She was raised in Kittery, Maine, and was a 1970 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover. The day after graduation, June 10, she married the love of her life, and they just celebrated their 55th anniversary.
A dedicated teacher, Bonny worked at St. James Nursery School for many years. Committed to students and education, she established the Elm Street School Volunteer Association. When her children became active with the Laconia High School drama program, so did Bonny, volunteering for many years even after her own children graduated. An avid reader, Bonny not only read what she enjoyed, but also what her children were reading so they could have discussions together.
Bonny loved to spend time with family and friends and will be greatly missed by many in the community, especially her old colleagues and The Lunch Bunch.
Family members include her husband, Larry Johnston; son Patrick Johnston, daughters and sons-in-law Hilary (Michael) Chase, Sara (Bryan) Lewis; grandchildren: Geoffrey, Violet Kaylee, Amira, Noelle and Bryson; sister Kathryn Bryant, brothers and sisters-in-law John (Cheryl) Banks, Andrew (E.V.) Banks, sister Sandra Banks and her husband Tim Smith. She also leaves her close nieces Callie and Mimi, along with extended family across the country.
The lessons Bonny taught everyone, including acceptance and finding the humor in life, will stay with us even in her absence.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 5pm -7pm and Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 2pm – 4pm with a time of sharing at 2:30pm in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
For those who wish, the family suggests donations may be made in Bonny’s memory to Lakes Regions Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford NH, 03247, https://www.lrscholarship.org
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.