A vital component of any thriving community is the willingness of residents to donate their time. Bonnie Bayser is a prime example. She rolled up her sleeves when she moved to Sun City in 2003. Her willingness to get involved and commitment to the community has been constant.
Bayser said, “I like to keep busy. The first committee I volunteered for was the Activity Committee, now Lifestyle. I have been on the Facility Advisory Committee, Fitness, Election, Liaison to Modifications, Wellness, and currently on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee.”
Bonnie Bayser is committed to making a difference wherever she goes. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
Bayser also served as a Sun City Board member. She was selected to fill a spot that was a vacant spot for six months and then was elected for three terms, six years.
Bayser said, “I helped with the Management Transition in 2006 when our Board assumed control of Sun City Board.”
When asked about her favorite accomplishment, Bayser said, “I wanted and still just want to make one person’s day special. If that means listening to them, that’s what I’ll do. I want to make a difference. You can’t make everyone happy, but you can listen. Every time I got a thank you from a resident, it made my day. That made me happy. Just a simple ‘Thank you, Bonnie.'”
Previously, she was a registered nurse, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in health arts, a Master’s in Health Administration, and a Ph.D. in Business Management.
Her nursing peers hold Bonnie in high esteem.
Pamela Richard said, “When I met Bonnie during the early 2000s, I was so impressed by how smart she is, no matter what she is involved in. We were a part of a small group trying to start a ‘Nurses in Action’ specialty group in Sun City. About 55 nurses attended the first organizational meeting. With her doctorate, Bonnie can master anything. When we met, she had a high managerial nursing position at Loyola Hospital but eventually came local to Centegra, then Northwestern Hospital. She is always prepared for any challenge.”
Others say similar praises.
Marily Berendt said, “I have had the extreme pleasure of working with Bonnie Bayser for the past 18 years. She is the consummate volunteer, always willing to help with anything and everything. Her dedication to the community is apparent in the many committees she has served on. She truly loves Sun City Huntley. Bonnie is a lot of fun too, as witnessed by last year’s Karaoke night when she was a part of singing ‘I Am Woman’ with the other female board members of the past sporting colorful boas.”
The admiration keeps going.
Dennis O’Leary said, “My wife and I have known Bonnie for most of the 17 years that we have lived here in SCCAH. My wife and Bonnie were both on the original Health and Wellness Committee. Bonnie and I have crossed paths many times in our service to this community from several committees to years on the Board. During that time, I got to know her well, admired her, and often sought her opinion and knowledge.”
Bayser volunteers in the local Huntley community as well. She has been the secretary for the Huntley Fire District since 2003, and she was a trustee for Darien-Woodstock from 1996 until 2003. She is the treasurer of the Illinois Association of Fire Protection District and the Northern Illinois Alliance Fire Protection District President.
Sun City is bidding a sad farewell to the Baysers, as Bonnie and her husband Chuck move to Oak Trace in Downers Grove. Bayser said, “Chuck and I have been married for 34 years and want to be together in the last years of our lives. The new facility offers us independent living but also provides five levels of care if needed. We will have that security. The deal breaker was that any facility we looked at had to have a woodshop. Chuck loves doing his woodworking, and Oak Trace had that.”
Berendt said, “Bonnie will truly be missed.”
Richard agreed, saying, “I am sad to see her move to an assisted living agency, but realize someday we all may be following the same goal as we age. Our best wishes to Bonnie and Chuck as they pursue new friends and activities and continue to experience new opportunities.”
O’Leary said, “Bonnie, I am going to miss you as I bounce around this community. I will miss you as an involved resident and a confidant. And I will miss your smiling face as you jab me with one of those vaccination needles. But most of all, I will miss you as a friend. Take care my good friend. I wish only the best for you and Chuck. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”
Bayser has already started considering what positions she is interested at her new home.
Her explanation might be an understatement.
“I like to keep busy,” she said.
