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Condolences to the loved ones of Phyllis 'Bonnie' Yvonne Cameron

By Kymberly Franklin posted 09-23-2022 15:00

  
Phyllis Cameron Obituary

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Phyllis Yvonne Cameron.

Service will be held:

11:00 A.M.
September 24, 2022
Fountainhead Funeral Home and Memorial Park
7359 Babcock St. SE Palm Bay, FL 32909.



Phyllis “Bonnie” Yvonne Cameron (neé McElhoe) was born on May 24, 1929 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Philip and Beatrice McElhoe.  Growing up during The Great Depression, she lived and worked on her grandparents’ farm.  She started singing at the age of six, with her younger sisters, Nancy, Billie, and Annette eventually joining her to form The McElhoe Sisters.  The McElhoe Sisters appeared on television and the radio over the course of many years.  In 1951, Bonnie married World War II veteran and the son of Polish immigrants, Richard C. Karr.  Together, they had three children, Tanya, Patrice, and Richard, Jr.  As she raised her children, Bonnie also held a position at a bank in Maryland and continued singing with her sisters and other groups, all the while championing efforts for women’s equality. She eventually became the owner of Cameron Realty, a successful real estate company now owned by her son, Richard, and re-imagined as Karr Professional Group. As well as obtaining her broker’s license, Bonnie also spearheaded efforts to improve her beloved community of Country Estates in Palm Bay, FL.   In addition to her many professional achievements, Bonnie selflessly helped to raise her grandchildren, some of whom even refer to her as their “second mother.”  Bonnie was hard-working and maternal, witty and smart, kind-hearted, passionate, and fiercely independent.  She will be remembered with the greatest love by her family, friends, and community.

 

She is predeceased by her parents Philip and Beatrice McElhoe and sisters Nancy Beam and Billie Orwig. Bonnie is survived by three children, Tanya Madix of Melbourne, Florida, Dr. Patrice Cohen (Roger Cohen) of Albany, New York, and Richard C. Karr, Jr. (Jennifer) of Merritt Island, Florida;  seven grandchildren, Dr. Amanda Cohen-Mostafavi (Behrooz Mostafavi) of Cary, North Carolina, Ariana Madix (Thomas Sandoval, partner) of Los Angeles California, Jennifer E. Karr, Esq. (Philip Pantaleo) of South Windsor, Connecticut, Meredith Wilbur (Michael Wilbur) of New York, Richard C. Karr, III (Miranda) of Melbourne, Florida, Jeremy Madix of Oceanside, California, and Taylor V. Karr (Jennifer Brix, partner) of Orlando, Florida; two great-grandchildren, James P. Karr-Pantaleo of South Windsor, Connecticut and Zelda Mostafavi of Cary, North Carolina; one sister, Annette Kintigh (David Kintigh) of Satellite Beach, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her dear “puppy,” Little Bear, who has been adopted by daughter Tanya.

 

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