Maria Lillian Pena de Bonilla      

Joined her parents, siblings, family, and close friends she lost throughout her life when she made her way to heaven on Friday, July 4, 2025 at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario. Although Maria’s death was sudden, it followed the expected complications of her respiratory illness. After she was taken to the ER, she was able to return to our heavenly father peacefully in her daughter’s arms with the help and support of the ER medical staff. Maria turned 90 years old on June 16, 2025. She was born in El Salvador and was the youngest of 11 children. She was married to Julian Bonilla for 55 years and came to Canada in 1986 due to the civil war in El Salvador. They were always very grateful for the privilege of raising their only child in a safe country. Maria was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia in 2015. She was able to receive the care, attention, and kindness she needed following her diagnosis from the staff at Elmwood Place in London, Ontario. Julian is 93 years old and returned to El Salvador to be with family in 2019. Although physically separated, Julian and Maria remained in contact with the help of technology and their daughter.  Maria wrote herself many notes about family, friends, and people who touched her life, including their special life events, in an effort to keep her memories alive and everyone in her heart. She always prayed for everyone’s well-being and loved to keep busy with crafts, knitting, word puzzles, and Rubik’s cubes. Maria was a loving mother to Lorena Bonilla. She was also a loving abuelita who helped to raise her only grandchild, Connor Bonilla-Harvey. Maria will always be remembered by her family, friends, and the many people she touched throughout her life.

A celebration of life in Spanish was held via Zoom by Lorena and Connor for family members and friends in El Salvador, the United States, and Canada at Westview Funeral Chapel on Sunday, July 6, 2025 with the kindness and support of the staff. Via Zoom, Maria was given blessings during a special Mass and prayers with a Catholic priest, family, and friends in El Salvador, the United States, and Canada, who all joined Lorena and Connor in saying good-bye to their loving abuelita. Cremation of Maria’s body took place on Monday, July 7, 2025 so that one day, she will be able to return to the land that saw her grow up, work, and become a wife and mother. A novenary, prayers, and Mass will take place in El Salvador following the family’s cultural and religious tradition in honour of Maria’s life.

Lorena and Connor will forever appreciate all the kindness and support from the medical staff at Victoria Hospital ER, Westview Chapel Funeral Home, and Elmwood Place. They are also very grateful and will never forget all the kindness, love, and support from family and friends in El Salvador, the United States, and Canada.