Benita Helen Egan

Benita Helen Egan (Bonnie), 76, of Newport Beach, departed this life on February 2, 2011 after a long illness.

Bonnie was born on September 27, 1934 in Brainerd, Minnesota. Her mother Helen Quinlen was widowed early by the loss of her father Clinton Quinlen during World War II in the Philippines, and moved Bonnie and her twin siblings Dennis and John to California following her high school graduation in 1952. She attended Los Angeles County Nursing School, graduating with the class of 1957, and was employed as a medical ward charge nurse at the same hospital. There she met and later married her husband J Robert Egan MD on February 9, 1959. After his medical training, the family moved to the Newport Beach area, where she resided until her recent passing. Bonnie devoted her life to home management, child rearing and community activity with the National Federation of Republican Women, National Charity League, The Humane Society and the Newport Beach Parent-Teacher Association. Her hobbies included investing independently and with two investment clubs, walking, bicycle riding, fishing (even Marlin), traveling, reading, and beating television contestants on Jeopardy. Beyond these pursuits, Bonnie found passion in life through her children, grandchildren, friends, bridge-playing groups, and her many much-loved pets.

She is survived by her husband J Robert Egan MD, her children Karen Davis of Laguna Beach, CA (and husband Blake), John Egan of Long Beach, CA (and wife Geri), and Theresa Egan of Fairfax, CA (and husband Tim). She also leaves her grandchildren Patrick Davis, Megan Davis, Scott Egan, and Elena Gnatek; and brothers Dennis Quinlen and John Quinlen.

A funeral mass is scheduled on February 9th, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Saint Joachim Church, 1964 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, CA. This will be followed by interment at Pacific View Cemetery in Corona del Mar.

In the course of her illness she had the amazing support and assistance of her many good friends, and the family appreciates the devoted and compassionate care extended to her by the local medical community. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the humane society and the John Wayne Cancer Center in Los Angeles.