Mary Isabel Bongey loved the life God gave her. Most of all, she loved her family. They were the treasures of her heart. She cherished every minute she had with them here until her Heavenly Father called her by name and took her to be with Him forever on March 8, 2012. Isabel was escorted to Paradise in the company of angels and the love of her family....but even more wondrously, by the rejoicing of those who have been waiting for her heavenly arrival, especially her beloved Jack. Isabel's family lived in awe of her faithfulness and her endless capacity to serve and nurture each one so precious to her. Our memories of her involvement in each life will help carry us through the sorrow of not having her constantly caring for us. These words comfort us: "The one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with JesusTherefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:14, 16-18 The depth of Isabel's love of her family was a reflection of her love for Jesus. He was her reason for living and giving. He truly was, and is, her all in all. She saw her family as a gift from Him. The life she had as Jack Bongey's. sweetheart wife was her most cherished gift. They were married on August 21, 1954. Isabel has missed him terribly since he departed this earth on July 15, 2010. At last they are together again. Jack and Isabel's deep love for each other was reflected in their devotion to the children God gave them. Their three daughters, their "3 M's," were their pride and joy. Margaret Rose, Mary Jean and Michelle Therese, were blessed beyond measure to have parents who always pointed them toward God and His love for them. Isabel and Jack's deepest loss were their three other children who passed directly from earth to heaven as infants. Isabel has lived always in anticipation of being with them again. What a glorious reunion that must be! Isabel was the dear mother-in-law of Mark Behlert and Dennis Chambers, whom she loved as sons. She was the adored "MawMaw" of nine grandchildren, as well as their spouses: Sarah (and Garret) Swartzentruber, Robert Chambers, James Bongey, Amy (and Zach) Grant, Katie (and Brent) Kruithof, Joy Behlert, Jocey (and Jesse) Sizemore, Ryan Chambers, and Jacob Ottlinger. The little lights of her life were her three great-grandsons: Mason Chambers, and Jack and Noah Swartzentruber. Isabel was born on January 25, 1925, the fourth of James and Addie Peterson's ten children. Four of those siblings carry on the Peterson heritage: Ann (Sis) Heath, Lillian (Girlie) O'Daniel, Adelaide White, and Jim Peterson. Five of her siblings are enjoying another laughter-filled Peterson Reunion on the other side: Ben Peterson, Charles (Bud) Peterson, Alice Zickel, Jo Ann Carrico, and Margaret Rose Peterson. Isabel leaves her family with an incredible written history of her life. She was a talented wordsmith, and her best material was the stories of her life growing up on the farm in Kentucky. The book she wrote in 1995, "Treasures of the Heart," recounts in amazing detail their home, church, school, fun and games, funny stories, holiday memories, food, clothing, happy and sad times. What a precious keepsake and irreplaceable family history. In the first sentence, she writes how she was born near Buda, Illinois: "I was born during a blizzard and while just a few hours old I was taken by horse and wagon to church to be baptized." So you can see that her devotion to the Catholic Church began at an early age! Isabel also wrote a book for her grandchildren containing a treasury of memories and wise words for them, such as: "Make each day the most important day in your life, for it could also be the last day of your life. Make the most of what you have; everything is a gift from God. Stand tall and believe in yourself. Decide what you want to be in your lifetime and constantly strive to reach that goal. Always be yourself." Isabel's gifts of love and time were given freely to Nativity Church. Although unable to attend since moving from her home in Pleasant Ridge five years ago, she held dearly the friends with whom she shared the joys and sorrows of life. As a member since 1960, she was a tireless, cheerful servant in so many different ways: Nursing Home Ministry, St. Ann's Altar Society, PTA, Prayer Groups, Christ Renews His Parish, Girl Scouts, Festivals, Reading Buddy, Network of Care, and others too numerous to mention. Her joys in life were simple pleasuresrocking babies, sewing, needlework, cooking, keeping house, collecting keepsakes, reading, writing poetry, black coffee, walking, holiday plans, Sunday drives and picnics. In retirement, Isabel and Jack loved to travel and experience new places. While living at St. Margaret Hall the last three years, Isabel continued blessing others, even as she was being served so well by the staff there. Her family will always be thankful for the care she received by the Carmelite sisters, and all the nurses and caregivers. Special thanks to Kelly, Walter and Keyasa who brought such happiness and security to her life. In Isabel's last weeks at Hospice, she radiated her faith, just as she had her entire life. She held her rosary close, and relied on strength from the Blessed Mother. She prayed with loved ones, especially the Lord's Prayer. She sang. She was thankful for everything. She was gracious to every visitor and staff person. Each loved one who has written of Isabel's life speaks of how she lived her life for others. Each niece, nephew, friend, or fellow volunteer, will tell how Isabel impacted and shaped their life. She will always be an example of how to truly live and love. Isabel's favorite Scripture passage is Psalm 100, which expresses her joy-filled life of love. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Amen. The Bongey family invites you to join us for Visitation at Gilligan Funeral Home (Kenwood) Sunday, March 11, 3:00-6:00. We will celebrate Iasabel Bongey's life with a Mass of Christian Burial Monday March 12, 10:00 at Nativity Church. Memorials may be made to St. Margaret Hall (1960 Madison Rd. 45206)

Service

Sunday, March 11, 2012 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Gilligan Funeral Home 3734 Eastern Avenue Cincinnati 45226, United States

Service

Monday, March 12, 2012 10:00 AM Nativity Church 5936 Ridge Avenue Cincinnati 45213, United States