Barbara L. Bona, 79, died Saturday night after a courageous seven-year battle with the ravages of diabetes. She died at home surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Barbara was born March 31, 1927, in Walden, Vt., the daughter of the late Robert R. and Edith M. (Darling) Beede.

Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Alfred "Fred" Bona, on Feb. 29, 1948. She was a loving wife, devoted mother of four, a loyal friend to many, as well as a committed community leader. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and she loved her community and the people in it.

In her salutatorian address to her Concord High School Class of 1945, she wrote: "Everything favors the best kind of life where people have a sense of pride in their community and plan for improving it physically, economically, culturally and spiritually."

Barbara lived the next 60 years of her life helping to make her community a place we are all proud to call home. She made substantial contributions in time, energy and money. Among her achievements are president of Lyndonville Women's Club; board member of New England's Women's Club; founder of Lyndon State College Foundation; Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital volunteer; co-chairman of Chamber Bicentennial Committee; active participant in Save the Covered Bridges; and sponsor of Lyndonville House Tours.

After losing her eyesight to diabetes, her energy did not decline. She took classes in writing children's books from the Children's Literature Institute. This work resulted in her writing 14 stories about family and the beauty of Vermont. She published a children's book, "Smiles Loves to Travel," in 2003.

Her energy was not confined to community works. Along with her husband Fred, Barbara was an entrepreneur, working long and hard to establish three successful grocery stores, The White Markets of Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury as well as the French & Bean Company, a wholesale grocery distribution company.

The couple also designed and built several residential houses and commercial buildings.

Barbara L. Bona, 79, died Saturday night after a courageous seven-year battle with the ravages of diabetes. She died at home surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Barbara was born March 31, 1927, in Walden, Vt., the daughter of the late Robert R. and Edith M. (Darling) Beede.

Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Alfred "Fred" Bona, on Feb. 29, 1948. She was a loving wife, devoted mother of four, a loyal friend to many, as well as a committed community leader. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and she loved her community and the people in it.

In her salutatorian address to her Concord High School Class of 1945, she wrote: "Everything favors the best kind of life where people have a sense of pride in their community and plan for improving it physically, economically, culturally and spiritually."

Barbara lived the next 60 years of her life helping to make her community a place we are all proud to call home. She made substantial contributions in time, energy and money. Among her achievements are president of Lyndonville Women's Club; board member of New England's Women's Club; founder of Lyndon State College Foundation; Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital volunteer; co-chairman of Chamber Bicentennial Committee; active participant in Save the Covered Bridges; and sponsor of Lyndonville House Tours.

After losing her eyesight to diabetes, her energy did not decline. She took classes in writing children's books from the Children's Literature Institute. This work resulted in her writing 14 stories about family and the beauty of Vermont. She published a children's book, "Smiles Loves to Travel," in 2003.

Her energy was not confined to community works. Along with her husband Fred, Barbara was an entrepreneur, working long and hard to establish three successful grocery stores, The White Markets of Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury as well as the French & Bean Company, a wholesale grocery distribution company.

The couple also designed and built several residential houses and commercial buildings.

She enjoyed painting, traveling, antiquing, gardening, writing books and she especially loved flowers.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Alfred of Lyndonville; four children, Marcia Andree Duval and her husband John of Manhattan, N.Y., Bruce Bona and his wife Shari of Lyndonville, Fred Bona of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Brian and his wife Cheryl of Lyndonville; a brother, Robert Beede and his wife Pauline of Mesa, Ariz.; sisters, Roberta Houston and her husband Earl of Pleasant Hill, Calif., Darlina Billesbach and her husband Michael of Lancaster, Calif., and Carol Brill of St. Johnsbury; 10 grandchildren, Amy Briggs, Dallas Bona, Bo-Dean Bona, Travis Andree, Dominic Bona, Logan Bona, Justin Bona and Sarah Bona; and two great-grandchildren, Ashton Briggs and Jazmine Bona.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Charlotte Wellman, Shirley Moffett and Frances Houston.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 4, at 2 p.m., at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Janet McKnight officiating. Burial will follow in the Lyndon Center Cemetery.