On the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001 the Canton community was saddened by the loss of one of its most active supporters, Bona Lou Alice Buchanan. She died quietly while convalescing at Manor Care Nursing Home in Williamsport after a courageous battle with cancer. Bona Lou was 60 years of age. Born in Huntington, Pa., Nov. 8, 1940 she was the daughter of Clyde and Mabel (Wall) Buchanan. During her youth the family moved to Canton and Bona Lou attended Canton High School, graduating with the class of 1958. She had a fun loving, outgoing personality which endeared her to all who knew her and a work ethic which left her with little time to spare. During her years of employments, Bona Lou had been a secretary for the law firm of Vineski, Brann and Williams and more recently served 14 years as office manager for Retel Cable. She was also a full time homemaker and loving, devoted mother. And in the spite of all of these responsibilities Bona Lou was the consummate civic volunteer. If it was for the good of Canton, she was among the first in line to offer assistance along with her unique insights and dry sense of humor. She was an active member of the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Towanda Watershed Association, Rekindle the Spirit and W.O.T.M. No. 981. She was a busy volunteer each year at the Apple & Cheese Festival and offered her services in various capacities back stage each year during Canton's summer theater productions. She was an avid walker, simply enjoying her daily one-on-one with the beauty of nature and even this simple pastime of walking she would put to use for the good of others by volunteering each year for the CROP walk and other walking related fund raisers. Each Christmas season she actively participated in the Giving Tree program so that the children of the less fortunate might experience the joy of the holidays. Ever concerned with the well being of others, Bona Lou became a self-appointed committee of one to look in on and offer assistance to the ill and infirm in the community, chauffeuring and running errands for them. In her spare time what little there was, she enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques. Bona Lou was a woman of faith and conviction and was a very active member of the Ward United Methodist Church and she lived her faith on a daily basis.

Bona Lou is survived by her mother, Mabel Vroman of Canton; daughter, Laura Clark at home; brothers, Clyde (Jean) Buchanan of State Line, Pa., Dwayne (Norma) Buchanan of Canton, Bob E. (Barbara) Buchanan of Liberty, Doyle (Kathy) Buchanan of Canton; sisters, Carola (Charles) Storrs of Leesburg, Fla. and Darla (Bob) Wright of Ridgway, Pa. as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Buchanan; stepfather, Kenneth Vroman and sister, Patty Sue Buchanan.

In accordance with Bona Lou's expressed wishes there will be no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bona Lou's memory may direct their memorials to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E. Third St., Williamsport, PA, the Green Free Library, 14 N. Center St., Canton, PA or the Ward United Methodist Church, RR2 Canton, PA. Professional services have been entrusted to Morse & Kleese Funeral Home Inc., 40 N. Center Street, Canton.

Towanda Daily Review