It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Bonnie Neighbour, a true champion of peer education, dignity, and rights in Virginia. On Monday, November 18, 2024, our state lost one of its brightest lights in the recovery movement.
Bonnie served as Vocal Virginia’s (then VOCAL) Executive Director from 2013 to 2016, however she was involved in the nonprofit for years before that in various roles. The Board and staff thank her for the indelible mark she left on the organization and the broader peer recovery community. Even after stepping down as Executive Director, she remained a steadfast presence, sharing her immense gifts as a trainer and facilitator with countless individuals eager to learn through programs such as Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery (APPR), Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Creating Safer Spaces.
To those fortunate enough to attend her trainings, Bonnie was unforgettable. She inspired with her vast knowledge, good humor, and boundless creativity. Bonnie had an extraordinary ability to uncover and amplify the strengths of others, leaving each individual with a renewed sense of their own potential.
Her impact reached far beyond the training arena. Bonnie was a fixture at the General Assembly each year, fiercely advocating for the rights and needs of Virginia’s recovery community.
Though her passing is a profound loss for so many, we choose to celebrate Bonnie’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. Her memory lives on in the countless lives she touched, and her passion will continue to inspire us all as we carry her torch forward.
Rest in peace, Bonnie. You will be deeply missed, but your light will never fade.
コメント